Accident Summary
On December 24, 2025, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, registration N2785Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rio Linda, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. The aircraft was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
According to friends of the pilot, the airplane had not flown since August. The purpose of the flight was for the pilot, who was also the owner, to maintain proficiency. No Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data was available for the flight. However, it appeared that the airplane departed from runway 17 at its home base, Rio Linda Airport (L36), at about 1228.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses located approximately one-half mile south of the airport reported seeing the airplane flying at low altitude in a southbound direction, away from the airport. One witness stated that they could not hear the sound of an engine and assumed the airplane was attempting to land in a field.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane came to rest in a grass field about 2,200 ft south-southwest of the departure end of runway 17. The first identified point of impact was a 25-ft-long ground disruption that contained fragments of paint chips and composite material. The debris field continued on a heading of about 240°, leading to the right wing, which had detached at the wing root along with the nose gear assembly and right flap. The main fuselage was located about 90 ft farther downrange and had come to rest generally intact and upright. The left wing was separated at the root, essentially undamaged, and had come to rest inverted just beyond the main cabin.
Both wingtip fuel tanks, along with the right wing tank, had been breached and were empty. The left tank was intact and was more than half full when viewed through the filler neck.
The cabin sustained minimal damage and was essentially intact. The airplane was equipped with lap belts for the front occupants but did not appear to have shoulder harnesses installed. The engine remained attached to the firewall by its mount and was bent downward and slightly to the right. Both propeller blades remained attached to the hub and were bent about 45° aft at midspan, with minimal evidence of chordwise striations or leading-edge damage.
The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.