# NTSB WPR26FA189: Piper PA-32-300, N8502N, Empire, NV, May 17, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report - Date: May 17, 2026, 07:38 local (14:38 UTC) - Place: Empire, NV - Coordinates: 40.52858, -119.47282 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5286&lon=-119.4728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Investigation ongoing - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Lycoming Engines, Piper Aircraft - NTSB case key (mKey): 203001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26FA189 - NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA189 ## Preliminary report On May 17, 2026, about 0738 PDT, a Piper PA-32-300, N8502N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Empire, Nevada. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. An airport surveillance camera at Reno Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada showed the airplane depart runway 32 at 0703. Preliminary ADS-B data provided by the FAA revealed that the airplane maneuvered to the northeast after takeoff and climbed to a cruise altitude of about 9,700 ft mean sea level (msl). About 18 minutes later, the airplane turned to the northwest and climbed to 11,600 ft msl. The airplane then turned north and continued its climb to a maximum altitude of 14,700 ft msl before it made a right turn towards the east and entered a right descending spiral. (See Figure 1). The last radar data hit showed that the airplane was located about 6 nm southwest of Empire, NV, at an altitude of 11,275 ft msl traveling at 167 knots ground speed. Figure 1. Google Earth with ADS-B overlay Preliminary air traffic control (ATC) audio revealed that ATC cleared the pilot to maneuver back towards Reno after the pilot stated that he was in clouds and was going to turn around. An alert notice (ALNOT) was then initiated by Oakland ARTCC (ZOA) after they lost communication with the pilot and the airplane disappeared from their radar screen. According to the pilot’s route information in Foreflight, his destination was Sunrise Skypark Airport (ID40), Marsing, Idaho. Meteorological reports indicated that a cold front was advancing southward across Northern Nevada at the time of the accident. The freezing level was approximately 6,300 ft mean sea level (msl), with a cloud base near 8,000 ft msl and icing conditions extending up to 18,000 ft msl near the accident site. The cloud tops were estimated to be between 17,000 and 19,000 ft msl, respectively. The airplane was located by Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue 6.6 nm southwest of Empire, in an area of desert terrain at an elevation of about 4,003 ft msl. The debris path was 5,054 ft long by 2,555 ft wide and was oriented on a southern heading. (See Figure 2). All major components of the airplane were found within the debris path. Figure 2. Google Earth with overlay of 3 photos: Left upper photo- main wreckage; lower left photo- empennage; right-photo- right wing The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, which exhibited downward crushing along its entire length. The left wing was partially attached to the fuselage with chordwise wrinkle and crush damage along the midspan of the wing, which extended from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The right wing was found within the debris field about 1,987 ft southeast of the main wreckage. Chordwise wrinkle and crush damage were observed along the midspan of the wing which extended from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The main wing spar fractured just outboardfrom the attachment bolts of the lower spar cap. The fractured end of the lower spar cap was curved and bent in a downward direction. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and the right side of the stabilator were located about 2,045 ft southeast of the main wreckage. The vertical stabilizer exhibited crushing on its sides and a tear about mid-span along the leading edge. A small area of blue paint transfer was observed near the leading edge of the right stabilator. The rudder was separated from the vertical stabilizer and had fractured into two pieces. The lower portion of the rudder remained attached to the rudder horn and a portion of the aft tailcone bulkhead. The right side of the stabilator trim tab remained attached by its hinges and the right tip of the stabilator exhibited an area of blue paint transfer on the upper surface. Several fragments of the left side of the stabilator were found throughout the debris field. The engine remained attached to the fuselage. All components and accessories remained secured to their respective mounting pads, with exception of the right magneto, which was found within the engine compartment. The two-blade, aluminum, constant speed propeller remained attached to the crankshaft propeller flange. One blade had been embedded in the terrain and exhibited an “S” shaped bend along its span. The other blade was unremarkable and did not appear to have contacted the ground. The airplane and engine were recovered to a secured facility for further examination. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8502N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8502N), registered now, S/N 32-7140052, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7140052 - Year built: 1971 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Departed: KRTS, Reno, NV - Destination: ID40, Marsing, ID - Airport: N/A ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KRTS, 55 nm away - METAR: METAR KRTS 171435Z AUTO 34016G23KT 10SM CLR 05/M03 A2992 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 20260517009159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260517009159A), May 17, 2026: Piper PA-32-300, Empire, NV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On may 17, 2026, at approximately 07:39 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 cherokee six crashed approximately 6.5 nautical miles southwest of Empire, Nevada. The… ## Other investigations on N8502N (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 NYC75DEP45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75DEP45), Mar 1, 1975: Piper PA-32 (N8502N), Lake Geneva, WI, 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.