No fatalities

PIPER PA-23 accident at Newkirk, NM, 22 Jan 2026

Newkirk, NM, United States

On January 22, 2026, a PIPER PA-23 was involved in an aviation accident near Newkirk, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilots inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain. 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 pilots inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Instructor/check pilotContributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Jan 2026 PIPER PA-23 accident near Newkirk, NM?

The pilots inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Jan 2026 PIPER PA-23 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Jan 2026 involved a PIPER PA-23, at Newkirk, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilots inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain.