# NTSB CEN26LA159: Piper PA46, N95AG, Burke, TX, April 5, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 5, 2026, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Burke, TX
- Coordinates: 31.234411, -94.756889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2344&lon=-94.7569&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202760/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202760
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA159

## Probable cause

The airplane’s encounter with unexpected low-level wind shear during final approach, which resulted in a hard impact with the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md)
- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md)
- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-IFR final approach: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Approach-IFR final approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-IFR final approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot and the flight instructor were conducting an instrument proficiency check flight. After performing two approaches and an uneventful landing at the airport, the airplane departed to perform a simulated engine out scenario under (simulated) instrument flight rules conditions. During the approach with the engine power reduced and the main landing gear extended, as the airplane approached the runway threshold, the airplane dropped “precipitously,” and the flight crew felt a hard impact on the runway. The pilot then executed a go around. The pilot noted the main landing gear indicator showed all three green lights illuminated; however, the right-side main landing gear had sheared off during the hard impact. During the subsequent landing with full flaps, the right wing impacted the runway, the airplane departed the runway to the right, and it came to rest upright on a flat grass field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A review of meteorological data showed the likely presence of low-level wind shear at the accident site, at the time of the accident. The airplane was equipped with onboard weather capability, and the pilot reported that the flight crew did study the inbound weather before the first approach and landing at the airport. The pilot further reported that he utilized ForeFlight for his preflight weather planning. The FAA has published Wind Shear FAA-P-8740-40. This document discusses wind shear at a low altitude and states in part: When the altitude of the encounter is too low to make a recovery, or the shear itself is strong enough to overcome aircraft performance capability, the aircraft lands short. The document also discusses three ways to prevent a hazardous encounter with wind shear and states: Know wind shear is there. Know the magnitude of the change. Be prepared to correct or go around immediately.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95AG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95AG), registered now, S/N 4622110, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA46 (350P)
- Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4622110
- Year built: 1990
- Airframe hours: 4167
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-35 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alj Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2025
- Departed: LFK, Burke, TX
- Destination: LFK, Burke, TX
- Airport: LFK, Angelina County, runway 07/25, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review April 9, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,061 total, 1,211 in this make and model, 1,533 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Flight instructor; age 66; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; last flight review October 13, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 25,814 total, 218 in this make and model, 16,848 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: KLFK
- METAR: METAR KLFK 051953Z AUTO 35008KT 10SM CLR 20/06 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP239 T02000056 $

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260405002899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260405002899A), Apr 5, 2026: Piper PA 46-350P, Lufkin, TX, Substantial damage. Flight left kcxo with PIC and second pilot who purpose was to conduct annual insurance check and flew VFR to klfk for airwork. PIC stated first approach was…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202760. 12.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20239214&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA159%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20239258&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Accident flight ADS-B data (google earth pro - .kmz file) (item 3, KMZ, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20247195&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=20260405_AD3255_619290279-Rel.kmz
- Accident flight ADS-B data (microsoft excel - .xlsx file) (item 4, XLSX, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20248156&FileExtension=xlsx&FileName=20260405_AD3255_619290279_ADSB-Rel.xlsx
- Memorandum for record a�� casey aviation services (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20239374&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Casey%20Aviation%20Services%20MOR_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� meteorology information (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20270431&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA159%20AS-30%20Meteorology%20ROC-Rel.pdf
- NTSB meteorological conditions report (item 7, PDF, 12 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20298414&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA159%20WX%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Pilot - email meteorology questions (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20239064&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA159%20-%20Weather%20Questions_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA-P-8740-40 wind shear - excerpt (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 832 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20281808&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA-P-8740-40%20Wind%20Shear%20-%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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