Pipistrel Alpha Trainer, N246EA, accident occurred on September 25, 2025, near Wickenburg, Arizona

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=N246EA

- History of Flight:
September 25, 2025, at about 0654 local time, a Pipistrel Alpha Trainer, N246EA, registered to Mesa Pilot Development LLC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Wickenburg, Arizona. The two occupants onboard sustained minor injuries. The local training flight originated from Glendale Municipal Airport (KGEU), Glendale, Arizona, at about 0553 LT.

The FAA reported that "Aircraft experienced engine issues and made an emergency landing and flipped over." ADS-B data shows that the airplane was cruising at 6,600 ft before it conducted a descent towards secluded desert terrain (figure 1).

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange data ran through Google Earth

- Weather: (KBXK was closest to flightpath)

METAR KBXK 251255Z AUTO 32004KT 9SM CLR 25/12 A2988 RMK AO2
METAR KBXK 251315Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/12 A2989 RMK AO2
METAR KBXK 251335Z AUTO 31005KT 10SM CLR 24/12 A2989 RMK AO2
METAR KBXK 251355Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 25/12 A2990 RMK AO2