No fatalities

PIPER PA28 181 accident at Faribault, MN, 22 Apr 2021

Faribault, MN, United States

On April 22, 2021, a PIPER PA28 181 operated by AV8 Flight School was involved in an aviation accident near Faribault, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane colliding with trees and subsequently the ground. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane colliding with trees and subsequently the ground.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operationStudent/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilot

All Piper PA-28 Cherokee accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Apr 2021 PIPER PA28 181 accident near Faribault, MN?

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane colliding with trees and subsequently the ground.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Apr 2021 PIPER PA28 181 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Apr 2021 involved a PIPER PA28 181, operated by AV8 Flight School, at Faribault, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane colliding with trees and subsequently the ground.