Cessna 172L Skyhawk, N2860Q, fatal accident occurred on August 14, 2025, near Lawton, Oklahoma

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2860Q

Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority

- History of the Flight:

On August 14, 2025, at about 0935 local time, a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, N2860Q, registered to the Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority out of Lawton, OK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lawton, Oklahoma. The sole pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries. The local flight originated from Lawton Municipal Airport (LAW/KLAW), Lawton, Oklahoma. The exact purpose of the flight is unknown at the time of writing.

According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 0833 LT, the airplane departed runway 17 at KLAW and entered a climbing left turn to an altitude of 3,500 ft. At 0841 LT, the airplane started doing several loops southeast of Lawton, which continued until the end of the flight. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 0934:39 LT, the airplane was at 2375 ft, tracking north at a heading of 355.0°, 128 knots groundspeed, and descending -1600 fpm. The reported accident site was located 3.80 miles north of the last recorded data point. (figure 1)

Figure 1: ADS-B Track

- Pilot Information:

The pilot, aged 55, held an airline transport certificate, with a most recent issue/update date of 6/7/2018, with a rating for airplane multi-engine land, and commercial privileges for airplane single-engine land. He also held a flight instructor certificate and a remote pilot certificate. His third class FAA medical was issued on February 2025, with a note about wearing corrective lenses to meet vision standards at all distances. He also held a CE-500 jet type rating (SIC only).

- Aircraft Information:

The accident airplane was a 1971 Cessna 172L, Skyhawk, serial number 17259860. The Cessna Skyhawk is an all-metal airplane that incorporates a semi-monocoque fuselage and empennage design. The airplane is equipped with externally braced wings, wing flaps, a fixed-pitch propeller, and a fixed tricycle landing gear. The airplane is configured to seat four occupants and has a certified maximum takeoff weight of 2,300 lbs.

The airplane was equipped with a 150 horsepower Lycoming O-320-E2D engine. The airplane was equipped for IFR flight.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:

The airplane impacted an open field and there was no post crash fire. The initial impact was identified by a small impact crater which proceeded to the main wreckage. Several broken pieces were located in the debris path leading to the main wreckage. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, both wings, and tail. The fuselage and both wings sustained extensive impact damage. The wreckage was oriented on a 180° heading opposite to the initial impact point.

Photo: KSWO news edited by me

- Weather:
The departure airport reported the following conditions at the time:

METAR KLAW 141353Z 15005KT 10SM CLR 26/22 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP143 T02610222

METAR KLAW 141453Z VRB06KT 10SM CLR 29/22 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP143 T02890222 50007