What happened
On November 23, 2025, a Piper PA-28R-201, registration N47700, crashed near Pittsfield, Illinois, during an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight. The accident resulted in 1 fatality and 2 serious injuries.
The flight originated from Anniston Regional Airport (ANB) in Alabama, with an initial destination of Quincy Regional Airport (UIN), Illinois. During the flight, the pilot contacted air traffic control to report a diversion to Pittsfield Penstone Municipal Airport (PPQ) due to fog at the original destination. While communicating with the controller, the pilot reported experiencing "engine troubles" and later specified that the issue was a "fuel issue," noting that the engine had switched to the other tank.
As the aircraft approached PPQ, the pilot requested radar vectors for an RNAV approach. The pilot also expressed concern regarding fuel levels and requested to "cut the corner" of the approach. At approximately 21:35 CST, the pilot reported having the airport in sight. However, weather data at the time showed a 300-foot ceiling and 0.75-mile visibility.
ADS-B data indicated that the aircraft crossed the midfield of the airport at approximately 1,935 feet MSL, traveling east-southeast and not aligned with runway 13. The aircraft then turned north and flew away from the airport. At 21:37 CST, the aircraft impacted an open cow pasture approximately 2 nautical miles north of the runway 13 threshold while in a left descending turn.
The investigation
An examination of the engine and wreckage found no evidence of a preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction that would have prevented normal operation. The engine monitor data showed that engine power increased and remained above 95% until the end of the recorded data, with no evidence of power loss at the end of the flight.
Investigators found the following mechanical details:
- The landing gear was in the down position, and flaps were extended to 25 degrees.
- The fuel selector was in the right tank position, and the electric fuel pump was ON.
- The throttle was at full throttle, and the mixture lever was halfway between full rich and idle cutoff.
- The propeller exhibited damage consistent with rotation under engine power.
- Approximately 0.5 gallons of uncontaminated fuel remained in the right wing tank, and about 1.3 pints remained in the left wing tank.
- The engine, magnetos, fuel injection servo, and vacuum pump were all found to be in serviceable condition or showed no anomalies during functional checks.