# NTSB WPR26LA245: Piper PA-28-140, N3995K, Salome, AZ, July 5, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: July 5, 2026, 08:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Salome, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.76715, -113.65565
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7672&lon=-113.6556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Lycoming Engines, Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA245
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA245

## Preliminary report

On July 5, 2026, at about 0825 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3995K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Salome, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the passenger, who was a rated pilot and mechanic, the purpose of the flight was to conduct an engine break-in flight following a recent engine overhaul. Before the flight, the pilot and passenger completed a preflight inspection and engine ground run, during which no anomalies were noted. The magneto checks were within specifications, with an approximate 100-rpm drop, and the passenger did not observe any abnormal engine temperature or oil pressure indications. The passenger reported that he had previously conducted ground runs on the engine following the overhaul, and they were normal. The airplane departed from runway 17 at Western Sky Airpark (OAZ2), Salome, Arizona. The passenger described the takeoff as normal and stated that the engine was producing about 2,400 rpm, with the throttle full forward and the mixture full rich. At about 800 to 900 ft above ground level, the pilot turned the airplane to the right and began reducing the throttle from full power. The passenger estimated the throttle reduction at about 200 rpm, though he did not recall the exact rpm amount. Immediately after the throttle was reduced, the engine lost all power. The passenger reported there were no indications of an impending engine failure, including no unusual vibration, smoke, sounds, or abnormal gauge readings. The pilot then searched for a forced landing area. The passenger estimated that about 20 to 30 seconds later the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, tail, and empennage. 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.

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3995K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3995K), registered now, S/N 28-23887 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23887
- Year built: 1967
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kennedy Daniel P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 0AZ2, Western Sky Airpark
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observed at: KBXK, 53 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBXK 051615Z AUTO 20005KT 9SM CLR 35/02 A2991 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 20260705008529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260705008529A), Jul 5, 2026: Piper PA-28-140, Salome, AZ, Substantial damage. On July 5, 2026, at approximately 0825 MST, a Piper PA-28 departed western sky airpark (OAZ2), Salome, Arizona, on a part 91 local flight. Shortly after…

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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