# NTSB WPR26FA069: Piper PA-32-260, N2785Q, Rio Linda, CA, December 24, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report - Date: December 24, 2025, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Rio Linda, CA - Coordinates: 38.666, -121.448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6660&lon=-121.4480&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Investigation ongoing - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202208 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26FA069 - NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202208/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA069 ## Preliminary report On December 24, 2025, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N2785Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rio Linda, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to friends of the pilot, the airplane had not flown since August, and the purpose of the flight was for the pilot, who was the owner, to maintain proficiency. No ADS-B data was available for the flight; however, it appeared to have departed from runway 17 at its home base, Rio Linda Airport (L36), at about 1228. Witnesses located about one-half mile south of the airport reported seeing the airplane flying at low altitude in a southbound direction away from the airport. One witness stated that they could not hear the sound of an engine and assumed the airplane was attempting to land in a field. The airplane came to rest in a grass field about 2,200 ft south-southwest of the departure end of runway 17. The first identified point of impact was a 25-ft-long ground disruption that contained fragments of paint chips and composite material. The debris field continued on a heading of about 240°, leading to the right wing, which had detached at the wing root along with the nose gear assembly and right flap. The main fuselage was located about 90 ft farther downrange and had come to rest generally intact and upright. The left wing was separated at the root, essentially undamaged, and had come to rest inverted just beyond the main cabin. Both wingtip fuel tanks, along with the right wing tank, had been breached and were empty. The left tank was intact and was more than half full when viewed through the filler neck. The cabin sustained minimal damage and was essentially intact. The airplane was equipped with lap belts for the front occupants but did not appear to have shoulder harnesses installed. The engine remained attached to the firewall by its mount and was bent downward and slightly to the right. Both propeller blades remained attached to the hub and were bent about 45° aft at midspan, with minimal evidence of chordwise striations or leading-edge damage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2785Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2785Q), registered now, S/N 32-688, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-688 - Year built: 1966 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airport: L36, Rio Linda, runway 17/35, 2,625 × 42 ft, asphalt ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: KMCC, 2 nm away - METAR: METAR KMCC 242035Z AUTO 17007KT 10SM CLR 14/11 A2967 RMK AO2 ## 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 20251224019699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251224019699A), Dec 24, 2025: Piper PA-32-260, Rio Linda, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On December 24th, 2025, at approximately 12:30 PST, this aircraft was involved in an accident during climb after take off from Rio Linda Airport (L36). The… ## Other investigations on N2785Q (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI71FBQ31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBQ31), Feb 25, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N2785Q), Pontiac, IL, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.