# NTSB ERA26LA319: Piper PA22, N5731D, Pace, FL, August 29, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: August 29, 2026, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Pace, FL
- Coordinates: 30.716908, -87.200582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7169&lon=-87.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA BHM FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA319
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA319

## Preliminary report

On August 29, 2026, about 1030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N5731D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pace, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, stated that he was departing from J-22 Ranch Airport (16FL), Milton, Florida, after the completion of some avionics related maintenance. The engine run-up was normal, and the magneto test was within the normal range. He was performing a soft field takeoff from the grass runway with “1 notch” of flap extension. After the airplane lifted off the runway and climbed about 30 ft, the engine lost partial power and the rpm dropped from 2,400 to 1,700 rpm. He then leveled the airplane about 200 ft above the ground to gain airspeed, but the airspeed did not increase. The pilot attempted to land in a peanut field; however, the airplane contacted treetops prior to the field and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5731D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5731D), registered now, S/N 22-4431, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA22 (150)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4431
- Year built: 1956
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2026, 2,037 hours before
- Destination: 2R4, Milton, FL
- Airport: 16FL, J-22 Ranch, runway 18, 2,895 × 227 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: NSE, 9 nm away
- METAR: METAR KNSE 291556Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM SCT021 BKN029 29/24 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP168 T02890244

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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