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=N6403P
- History of Flight:
On June 20, 2026, at about 1535 local time, a privately-registered Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, N6403P, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while on approach to land on runway 29 at Geauga County Airport (7G8), Middlefield, Ohio. The commercial pilot, one private pilot, and one student pilot were all fatally injured. The personal flight originated from the Warren Regional Airport (YNG/KYNG), Youngstown, Ohio, about 11 minutes prior at 1523, and was destined to 7G8.
According to flight-tracking history, on June 20, 2026, the airplane departed Middlefield on a flight to Indiana County-Jimmy Stewart Airport (IDI/KIDI), Indiana, Pennsylvania. About 12 minutes into that flight, the airplane conducted a touch-and-go on runway 23 at KYNG, and continued the flight towards to the destination. The flight lasted 1 hour. At 1212, the airplane departed KIDI and flew a 40 minute flight back towards KYNG. At 1523, the airplane departed on the accident flight.
According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed runway 23 and started a climbing right hand turn to an altitude of 2,700 ft. At 1532:47, the airplane was at 2,700 ft, 125 knots (groundspeed), and descending 200 feet per minute (fpm) towards 7G8. In the next few seconds, the airplane continued to descent with rates as down as 900 fpm. At 1534:28, the airplane was at 1,700 ft, 75 knots groundspeed, and descending 250 fpm. At roughly 1534:51, the airplane was at 1,600 ft, 63 knots, when it entered a right hand turn towards an open field. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 1535:03, the airplane was at 1,400 ft, 58 knots groundspeed, and descending 4200 feet per minute (fpm).
- Pilots Information:
The pilot, aged 76, held a private pilot certificate (last issued/updated 1/1/2010) with a rating for airplane single engine land and an instrument rating. His third class FAA medical was issued on November 2025, with a note that states he must use corrective lens(es) to meet vision standards at all required distances.
The second occupant, aged 71, held a student pilot certificate issued on 9/10/2018. His third class FAA medical was issued on October 2018 with a note that he must have available glasses for near vision.
The third occupant, aged 40, held a commercial pilot certificate (last issued/updated 9/17/2021) with a rating for airplane single engine land and sea, rotorcraft helicopter, instrument rating for airplane and helicopter, a glider rating, and an unmanned aircraft rating. The pilot has no available FAA medical information. He holds a type rating in the S-70 helicopter.
- Airplane Information:
The accident airplane, serial number 24-1513, was manufactured in 1959. It was a 4-seat, low wing, all-metal monoplane of semimonocoque construction with a retractable landing. It was powered by a Lycoming O-540 engine.
The airplane's standard fuel capacity is 60 lb. The maximum range is 1,440 nautical miles.
The stall speed is 58 knots.
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH):
Engine Failure:
The most common cause of engine failure is mismanagement or malfunction of the fuel system. Therefore, the first step to take after engine failure is to move the fuel selector valve to the tank not being used. This will ‘often keep the engine running even if there is no apparent reason for the engine to stop on the tank being used. 1f changing to the opposite fuel tank does not restore the engine:
(1) Check fuel pressure and turn on electric fuel pump, if off.
(2) Push mixture control to full rich.
(3) Apply carburetor heat.
(4) Check ignition switch.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane impacted an open field about 1.1 miles east of runway 29. The entire airplane was present at the accident site and there was no post crash fire.
Based on the lack of a debris field and extensive deformation to the airplane, combined with the ADS-B data, it is most likely that the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall/spin towards the end of the flight.
- Airport Information:
The airport field elevation is 1174.3 ft. The airport features a single runway 11/29 which is asphalt 3500 x 65 ft. The airport features an RNAV GPS for both runway 11 and 29.
- Weather:
(1) METARs:
METAR KPOV 201915Z AUTO 26011G17KT 10SM SCT070 SCT095 24/12 A2989 RMK AO2 T02400118 PWINO
METAR KPOV 201935Z AUTO 25011G19KT 10SM SCT050 BKN070 BKN095 23/11 A2989 RMK AO2 T02280111 PWINO
METAR KPOV 201955Z AUTO 26009G15KT 10SM SCT050 SCT060 BKN070 23/12 A2988 RMK AO2 T02290115 PWINO
Other airports:
METAR KYNG 201851Z 35013G21KT 10SM -TSRA BKN050CB BKN065 BKN095 21/13 A2989 RMK AO2 WSHFT 1832 RAB51 TSE26B51 SLP117 OCNL LTGICCA N TS N MOV SE P0000 T02060128 $
METAR KYNG 201923Z 35007KT 10SM SCT047 BKN065 20/15 A2988 RMK AO2 RAE22 TSE17 P0000 T02000150 $
METAR KYNG 201943Z 34008KT 10SM -TSRA BKN047CB BKN070 BKN110 19/16 A2988 RMK AO2 RAE22B34 TSE17B37 OCNL LTGICCA NE TS NE MOV SE P0000 T01890156 $
METAR KCGF 201845Z 28010G20KT 10SM SCT060 24/15 A2988
METAR KCGF 201945Z 29014G22KT 10SM CLR 24/13 A2987
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Cleveland OH 204 PM EDT Sat Jun 20 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Slightly decreased storm total rainfall amounts across portions of central Ohio. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Lingering scattered showers and thunderstorms through this evening. 2) Widespread rainfall expected Sunday night through Monday which may result in rises on area rivers. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... Scattered showers with a few isolated thunderstorms are developing and will remain possible through the remainder of this afternoon and early evening as a shortwave aloft pushes through the region. Highest coverage for showers and storms will occur along and east of the I-71 corridor where the best instability, albeit fairly weak at 400-700 J/kg, exists. Locally stronger but sub- severe thunderstorms may be capable of producing isolated wind gusts of 30-40 mph and small hail. KEY MESSAGE 2... Widespread rainfall will overspread the Ohio Valley Sunday night through Monday as a shortwave aloft moves across the region. At the surface, the center of the low pressure is expected to track due east across northern Ohio on Monday. This system will be moisture rich as PWAT values will range between 1.25-1.75 inches, which are above the 90th percentile for mid/late June. Overall QPF amounts continue to decrease slightly with current storm total rainfall amounts ranging between 0.75-1.25 inches. Slightly higher amounts of 1.25-1.50 inches are possible near the I-75 corridor and along the lakeshore. Some embedded thunderstorms will be possible Monday morning, though the best instability remains south of the forecast area. Localized flooding may be possible in any convection and/or showers/storms that train over the same area. The majority of the forecast area remains in a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 4) for excessive rainfall with a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 4) for the western third of the forecast area. && .AVIATION /18Z Saturday THROUGH Thursday/... A shortwave aloft and surface cold front will move across the area through early this evening. This will shift southwest winds more westerly, and focus scattered showers and a few storms across southeastern portions of the area, possibly affecting YNG and CAK. Storms can produce brief IFR or lower vsby and isolated gusty winds (up to 40kt) and small hail. This activity will sweep off to the east this evening, leaving dry and VFR conditions from the remainder of the TAFs. Southwest to west winds this afternoon of 10-15kt with gusts up to 25kt are ongoing, becoming light (<7kt) tonight into Sunday. Outlook...Non-VFR likely Sunday night into Monday with rain. && .MARINE... A cold front is sweeping across the lake through this evening, shifting winds to a west-northwest direction...generally 10-15kt in the Ohio waters and 10kt or less to the east. These winds may briefly perk up to 15 to nearly 20kt late this afternoon into this evening in parts of the western and central basin before shifting more northwesterly and gradually diminishing overnight tonight into early Sunday. Waves of 1 to 3 feet will generally handle things through tonight, with the greatest chance for some 3 footers in the central basin this evening. Winds gradually flip around to the south on Sunday, to the east-northeast Sunday night, and more northeast to north on Sunday as weak low pressure tracks through the northern Ohio Valley. Winds will become elevated 15-25kt Sunday night into Monday, and with the E to N direction we`ll likely need Small Craft Advisories and Beach Hazards Statements for a number of our nearshore/coastal zones. Calmer conditions return by Tuesday behind this system. && .CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OH...None. PA...None. MARINE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...13 AVIATION...Sullivan MARINE...Sullivan
