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=N8502N
- History of Flight:
On May 17, 2026, at about 0736 local time, a privately-registered Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, N8502N, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Empire, Nevada. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Reno-Stead Airport (RTS/KRTS), Reno, Nevada, at 0705, and was probably destined to Sunrise Skypark Airport (ID40), Melba, Idaho.
According to recent flight tracking history, on May 6 and May 14, the airplane flew short local flights at ID40. Additionally, on May 14, at 0756, the airplane departed ID40 on a cross-country flight to Reno. The airplane climbed to 10,300 ft and landed at 0912. The flight appeared uneventful.
According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed runway 32 at KRTS and entered a climbing right turn to an altitude 9,900 ft. At 0722:08, the airplane entered a left turn over the north section of Pyramid Lake and continued climb. At 0726:00, the airplane entered a slight right turn and continued climbing north with a reported ground speed of 140 knots (on a 25.6° track). At about 0731:57, the airplane's groundspeed values began to visibly decay down to 94 knots (as it was climbing through 14,000 ft). At about 0733:25, the airplane entered a slight deviation to the left with a very brief descent rate of 300 feet per minute (fpm) and the groundspeed was observed at 87 knots. The track heading changed to ~350° at this time. At 0733:39, the airplane appeared to correct this by entering a right turn back to its original track heading and groundspeed values were observed reaching 104 knots. The airplane continued climbing throughout this entire phase. At 0735:12, the airplane was at 14,550 ft, 136 knots groundspeed on a 40.8° track. At about 0735:31, the airplane started a climb to 14,750 ft, but groundspeed values were observed again decaying to 88 knots. At 0735:54, the airplane reached the conclusion of the climb at 14,775 ft and a 1000 feet per minute right hand descent. At 0736:09, the airplane was at 14,475 ft, 182 knots groundspeed, -5000 fpm on a 91.3° track. At 0736:27, the airplane was at 12,300 ft, 145 knots groundspeed, and -17000 fpm. At this point, the airplane was in an out of control right hand spiral. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 0736:37, the airplane was at 11,275 ft, 167 knots groundspeed, and 16320 feet per minute (fpm) descent.
- Pilot Information:
The pilot held an airline transport certificate with an airplane multi engine land rating and he also held commercial privileges in airplane single engine land and sea. The pilot also held a flight instructor certificate that was last issued on 02/28/1974, and two repairman/experimental aircraft builder ratings. The pilot held a BasicMed Course that was dated 11/18/2025. The pilot's last third class medical from 2017 noted that he must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision. The pilot held type ratings in the Airbus A320, Boeing 727, Boeing 747, and DC-9.
- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 32-7140052, was manufactured in 1971. It was a 6-seat, low-wing, fixed landing gear airplane powered by a Lycoming TIO-540 engine that drove a 2-bladed hartzel blade. The aircraft was equipped for IFR flight.
According to an old sale listing (could be outdated), the aircraft was equipped with the following Avoincs:
"Garmin 340 Audio, Garmin 430W, Garmin 496 w/XM music & Weather, TKM MX170 #2, King KN62A DME, Narco AT165 xpdr, Piper AutoControl III AP coupled to DG/Nav"
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH):
PLACARDS (In full view of the pilot):
"THIS AIRPLANE MUST BE OPERATED AS A NORMAL CATEGORY AIRPLANE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS STATED IN THE FORM OF PLACARDS, MARKINGS AND MANUALS. NO ACROBATIC MANEIIVERS, INCLUDING SPINS, APPROVED.''
..THIS AIRCRAFT APPROVED FOR NIGHT IFR NON ICING flight WHEN EQUIPPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 91 or FAR 135."
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown.
- Weather:
At 0735, KSVE reported the following conditions: Winds 360 (direction is variable between 040 and 010) at 13 knots, gusting 24 knots, 10 miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 6°C, dewpoint -2°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury.
At 0735, KRTS reported the following conditions: Winds 340 att 16 knots, gusting 23 knots, 10 miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 5°C, dewpoint -3°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of mercury.
At 0738, KWMC reported the following conditions: Winds 350 att 11 knots, gusting 21 knots, 4 miles visibility, light snow and mist, a broken cloud layer at 900ft AGL and 1800ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 2700ft AGL, temperature 1°C, dewpoint 1°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of mercury.
KRTS and KSVE were closer to the accident site that KWMC.
(1) METARs:
METAR KSVE 171355Z AUTO 31008KT 040V050 10SM CLR 07/M02 A2999 RMK A01 P000
METAR KSVE 171415Z AUTO 33009G17KT 10SM CLR 07/M02 A2999 RMK A01 P000
METAR KSVE 171435Z AUTO 36013G24KT 040V010 10SM CLR 06/M02 A2999 RMK A01 P000
METAR KSVE 171455Z AUTO 30008G15KT 10SM FEW038 07/M02 A2998 RMK A01 P000
METAR KRTS 171405Z AUTO 35014KT 10SM CLR 04/M04 A2992 RMK AO2
METAR KRTS 171435Z AUTO 34016G23KT 10SM CLR 05/M03 A2992 RMK AO2
METAR KRTS 171450Z AUTO 34018KT 10SM CLR 05/M03 A2991 RMK AO2
METAR KWMC 171356Z AUTO 03015G23KT 10SM BKN046 BKN055 OVC070 04/M02 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP106 T00441022 $
METAR KWMC 171422Z AUTO 34015G21KT 8SM -SN FEW018 BKN027 OVC037 03/00 A2992 RMK AO2 RAB13E21SNB21 P0000 T00280000 $
METAR KWMC 171438Z AUTO 35011G21KT 4SM -SN BR BKN009 BKN018 OVC027 01/01 A2992 RMK AO2 RAB13E21SNB21 P0001 T00110006 $
METAR KWMC 171443Z AUTO 01011KT 2 1/2SM -SN BR BKN009 OVC013 01/01 A2992 RMK AO2 RAB13E21SNB21 P0001 T00110006 $
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
726 FXUS65 KVEF 171050 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 350 AM PDT Sun May 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Expect strong winds, blowing dust, and cooling temperatures through Monday as a trough moves across the region. && .DISCUSSION...through Saturday. Peak wind gusts yesterday were generally in the 25 to 40 mph range for most locations, and between 40 and 50 mph in western San Bernardino County. A compact low pressure system will drop south into the Great Basin today, bringing even stronger winds, blowing dust, and cooler temperatures to the region. Southwesterly winds will pick up across the region later today and shift from the southwest to the northwest as a cold front moves through. The front passes through Nye, Esmeralda, and Inyo counties during the afternoon, reaches Las Vegas and the I-15 corridor in the evening, and finally the Colorado River Valley later overnight. Expect widespread gusts between 40 and 55 mph as well as stronger gusts in excess of 60 mph in parts of southern Nevada and southeastern California. A series of Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings go into effect later today and remain in effect through the night. Drivers should be prepared for hazardous crosswinds and blowing dust, and boaters should be aware of waves between 2 and 4 feet on Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Havasu. Gusty winds will weaken by tomorrow afternoon. Precipitation chances with this system are limited to eastern Lincoln County in the afternoon and evening with POPs between 50 and 80 percent, favoring high terrain. Temperatures decrease 10 to 15 degrees between today and tomorrow, with highs in the upper 70s expected for Las Vegas. After tomorrow, high pressure rebuilds and temperatures increase through the end of the week. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package... Generally light winds favoring southerly directions are expected through the morning hours before increasing south to southwest winds develop after 18z and continue to intensify through the afternoon. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 knots will become possible after 21z. Winds will quickly shift to the north by 02z to 03z as a strong cold front moves through. Strong northwest wind gusts of 45 to 50 knots will be possible between 2-6z before gradually easing through the remainder of the night. Blowing dust may result in temporary visibility reductions as the front moves through as well, with visibility in the range of 5 to 8 miles. Northerly winds will continue through daybreak Monday but gradually ease in intensity in the early morning hours. Periods of low level turbulence can be expected through the TAF period. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Strong winds are expected across the regional TAF sites today and tonight. For all terminals outside of KBIH, expect gusty west to southwest winds to develop by 16z to 18z with gusts in the 25 to 35 knot range. Winds will shift to the northwest behind a surging cold front moving from north to south across the region. Winds in the wake of the front will increase to 20-30 knots with gusts of 40 knots to perhaps 50 knots. Winds will remain elevated beyond 00z to 06z, especially at KIFP/KEED with strong winds will last into Monday morning. For KBIH, winds will generally remain north to northwest. A brief lull in wind speeds will occur early this morning, but will rapidly increase behind the front by 18z-20z Sunday. Aside from winds, mid and high cloudiness will move across the region in association with the front. && .FIRE WEATHER...Gusty southwesterly winds intensify areawide today before a frontal passage causes a shift to the north to northwest this afternoon and evening. There will be widespread gusts between 40 and 55 mph with isolated stronger gusts in excess of 60 mph in sections of southern Nevada and southeastern California. Precipitation is not expected outside of eastern Lincoln County. Minimum humidity falls to the 10 to 20 percent range this afternoon. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions continue where fuels are receptive and a Red Flag Warning remains in effect for northwestern Arizona until 8 PM MST this evening. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION/FIRE WEATHER...Meltzer AVIATION...Outler
- Additional Information:
no