# NTSB ERA26LA307: Piper PA-28-181, N586MA, Altoona, PA, August 14, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 14, 2026, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Altoona, PA
- Coordinates: 40, -78 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0000&lon=-78.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-IFR missed approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203620/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203620
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA307

## Probable cause

The pilot’s descent below the glidepath and collision with trees during a missed approach.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-IFR missed approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The instrument-rated pilot had planned a cross-country flight with an intermediate fuel stop. While enroute, he noted that the weather conditions at the planned fuel stop airport had deteriorated, so he elected to divert to another airport. While performing an RNAV instrument approach to the diversionary airport, the pilot reported that he entered instrument meteorological conditions and experienced “some disorientation.” He described that the airplane may have deviated left of course and descended below the glidepath. The pilot subsequently decided to initiate a missed approach and applied full engine power. During the initial climb, the airplane contacted treetops but continued to climb. The pilot observed damage to the left wing and declared an emergency with air traffic control. The air traffic controller then provided the pilot with radar vectors to another airport, where the pilot completed an instrument approach and landed without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the wings and horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N586MA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N586MA), registered now, S/N 2843297, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2843297
- Year built: 1999
- Airframe hours: 3789
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2026, 4 hours before
- Departed: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD
- Destination: IAG, Niagara Falls, NY
- Airport: UNV, State College Rgnl, runway 24, 6,701 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 274 total, 184 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 0.25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KUNV, 51 nm away
- METAR: METAR KUNV 141253Z 00000KT 1 1/4SM BR BKN001 20/20 A3012

## 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 20260814010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260814010319A), Aug 14, 2026: Piper PA-28-181, State College, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot became disorientated on an instrument approach in actual IFR conditions. He flew below minimums and struck trees causing substantial damage to the…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203620. 29.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20936317&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA307_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - FAA inspector correspondence (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20936788&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20LA307-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records (excerpts) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 26.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20936468&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N586MA_IFR_Certification_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20951704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20photos%20LA307-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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