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

Uncontained engine failure: Lancair Legacy 2000, N707MM, registered to Air Horse LLC, and being operated by Michael Patey, incident occurred on July 20, 2023, near Rochester, Minnesota

• Location: Rochester, Minnesota
• Incident Number: ENG23LA034
• Date & Time: July 20, 2023, 14:42 Local
• Registration: N707MM
• Aircraft: HALL LESTER R LEGACY
• Aircraft Damage: Minor
• Defining Event: Uncontained engine failure
• Injuries: 2 None
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Air race/show

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192877/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192877

On July 20, 2023, at about 1:42pm local time, a Lancair Legacy airplane, registration number N707MM, powered by a single Pratt & Whiteny Canada PT6A-42 turbo-propeller engine experienced an uncontained engine failure while enroute from the Rapid City Regional Airport (KRAP), South Dakota to the Rochester International Airport (KRST), Minnesota. The pilot declared an emergency, started a gliding descent into KRST, and made a successful landing without power. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 flight. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries.

The teeth of the 1st stage sun gear in the reduction gearbox were ground away in the plane of the mating gear teeth of the 1st stage planet gears. The mating gear teeth of the three planet gears were battered and fractured.

Distress of the 1st stage sun gear teeth released the torque normally transferred to the propeller, causing the power turbines to overspeed and the power turbine blades to release in tension and become uncontained.

It was unknown when the last inspection of the reduction gearbox was performed. During the post incident examination of the engine at the P&WC facility, the engine was found to be in poor overall condition with missing surface protective paint and surface corrosion noted throughout the external and internal surfaces of the engine.

A review of the purchase documentation revealed that the operator knowingly purchased the engine in unserviceable condition and only performed a periodic inspection before flight.

- Probable Cause: Mechanically distressed reduction gears causing an engine overspeed and turbine blade tensile overload and subsequent uncontainment. Contributing to the uncontainment was the operator’s use of the engine after knowingly purchasing the engine in an unserviceable condition and only conducting a periodic inspection before flight.

Cessna 425 Conuest I, N425D, accident occurred on July 17, 2025, near Round Rock, Arizona

• Location: Round Rock, AZ
• Accident Number: WPR25LA218 
• Date & Time: July 17, 2025, 16:00 Local 
• Registration: N425D 
• Aircraft: Cessna 425 
• Injuries: 2 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200588/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N425D

On July 17, 2025, about 1600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 425, N425D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Round Rock, Arizona. The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The pilot under instruction and the flight instructor reported that they were about 1.5 hours into the flight from Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, Colorado to Phoenix Dear Valley (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona. They reported that during cruise flight at an altitude of about 26,000 ft msl, they heard a loud noise from the left engine, followed by an immediate and total loss of engine power. While troubleshooting the left engine, the right engine lost total power, as confirmed by the torque and engine temperature gauges. They declared an emergency with air traffic control and attempted to restart the right engine, but the primary flight display “flickered for a moment” followed by a total loss of electrical power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open desert area and during the landing sequence on a dry, rough surface, the main landing gear separated. The airplane came to rest upright, and the left wing sustained substantial damage.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination

Ayres S-2R-G6 Turbo Thrush, N2239V, accident occurred on August 6, 2025, near Slayton, Minnesota

• Location: Slayton, MN 
• Accident Number: CEN25LA304 
• Date & Time: August 6, 2025, 13:00 Local 
• Registration: N2239V 
• Aircraft: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-G6 
• Injuries: 1 Serious 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200724/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2239V

On August 6, 2025, about 1300 central daylight time, a Ayres Corporation S2R-G6, airplane, registration N2239V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Slayton, Minnesota. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight.

The operator stated the weather conditions were favorable with clear skies and less than 10 knots of wind. The airplane was lightly loaded to about 30-40% of its total capacity. The pilot had flown about 40-50 hours in the accident airplane and had reported no previous maintenance issues. Nothing was noted in the morning pre-flight inspection of the airplane.

The pilot told the operator he was about 200 ft above the ground in a fairly flat left turn, getting lined up for the first spray pass of the flight, when the controls locked up and he could not return them to center using both hands. The pilot tried to use rudder inputs but did not have enough altitude to make the recovery. The pilot stated he had engine power and was at about 120 knots and was adamant that the airplane did not stall.

The airplane impacted terrain in a left wing low attitude and cartwheeled to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and wings.

The accident site was documented, and the airplane will be recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Air Tractor AT-502, N9193V, accident occurred on August 10, 2025, at Klein-O'Neal Airport (IL16), Lawrenceville, Illinois

• Location: Lawrenceville, IL 
• Accident Number: CEN25LA313 
• Date & Time: August 10, 2025, 13:21 Local 
• Registration: N9193V 
• Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 
• Injuries: 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200746/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9193V

On August 10, 2025, about 1321 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lawrenceville, Illinois. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight.

The pilot stated he was taking off with a load of product and everything seemed normal until he went to rotate; at which time the airplane did not seem to be making full power. The pilot recalled looking down at the torque gauge and saw 1,400 not the usual 1,700 and he immediately pushed forward on the throttle. He attempted to jettison the load of product, but the rubber handgrip had migrated upward on the control handle preventing easy access to the switch that normally protruded from the handgrip. He described “forcing the airplane” into the air out of ground effect to gain enough altitude to clear the road and any passing traffic off the end of the runway. Unable to maintain altitude the airplane impacted the moisture laden bean field on the opposite side of the road and came to rest inverted. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and wings.

The airplane was recovered back to the airport and will be examined further at a later date.

Missing aircraft: Air Tractor AT-802A Fire Boss, N4025K, fatal accident occurred on April 29, 2025, in Atlantic Ocean

• Location: Atlantic Ocean
• Accident Number: CEN25LA164 
• Date & Time: April 29, 2025, 08:40 Local 
• Registration: N4025K 
• Aircraft: Air Tractor AT802 
• Aircraft Damage: Destroyed 
• Defining Event: Missing aircraft 
• Injuries: 1 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Ferry

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200088/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200088

The float equipped airplane was en route on a ferry flight from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, to Santa Maria, Portugal, when 130 nautical miles east-southeast of St. John’s, the airplane disappeared from radar over the Atlantic Ocean. An emergency locator transmitter was activated shortly after.

Search and rescue assets discovered one of the two pontoons, a plastic container containing a backpack, a seat cushion, and an empty life raft floating on the ocean surface in the vicinity where the airplane went missing. An oil slick was also observed on the water next to the pontoon. The search continued through the following day. The airplane and pilot have not been located.

ADS-B information showed the airplane took off and climbed to approximately 6,000 ft msl and proceeded on an easterly heading. About 21 minutes into the flight, the pilot reported picking up ice and requested a higher altitude. He was cleared and climbed to 7,000 ft. About 35 minutes into the flight, the airplane made a slight right turn and proceeded east-southeast. About 1 hour and 6 minutes into the flight, the airplane began a 2,000 ft/min. descent to the ocean surface. Just before reaching the surface, the airplane made a 180° turn toward the west. ADS-B data ended 1 hour and 10 minutes after takeoff.

- Probable Cause: The airplane’s impact with the ocean for undetermined reasons based on the available evidence.

Mooney M20R, N9166Z, accident occurred on June 9, 2025, at Hidden Lake Airport (FA40), New Port Richey, Florida

• Location: New Port Richey, FL 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA273 
• Date & Time: June 9, 2025, 06:00 Local 
• Registration: N9166Z 
• Aircraft: Mooney M20R 
• Injuries: 1 None 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200582/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9166Z

On June 9, 2025, about 0600 eastern daylight time, a Mooney, M20R airplane, N9166Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Port Richey, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he departed Inverness Airport (INF), Inverness, Florida and flew for about 15 minutes to Hidden Lake Airport (FA40), New Port Richey, Florida where he intended to land. During the landing flare to runway 5, a 4,425-ft-long runway, the airplane floated; the pilot reported that he was uncomfortable trying to land on the remaining runway, so he executed a go-around, by adding full power and setting the flaps for climb. During the maneuver, at about 50 ft. the engine immediately stopped producing power. There was no hesitation or “engine cough” that preceded the loss of power. Too low to fully troubleshoot, the pilot switched fuel tanks, but it did not restore power and the airplane began to descend.

The airplane descended into the runway overrun area and impacted brush and muddy terrain before coming to rest upright. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after recovery and confirmed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The right wing sustained damage to the wing spar and there were multiple buckles and dents throughout the fuselage.

According to the pilot, he should have had at least 17 gallons remaining in the fuel tanks at the time of the accident, based on his fuel consumption and the airplane’s most recent fueling that occurred on June 1, 2025. In addition, he reported that neither low fuel quantity warning lights illuminated during the flight.

The pilot called to report the accident on July 19, 2025, 40 days after its occurrence. The airplane was retained for further examination.