Pilot Debrief

NORTH AMERICAN T-28B near Monticello, IA — 2025-08-11

Investigation ongoingANC25FA086
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Date
2025-08-11
Location
Monticello, IA, USA
Aircraft
NORTH AMERICAN T-28B
Registration
N28XT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On August 11, 2025, about 1505 Central daylight time, a North American T-28B airplane, N28XT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monticello, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to witnesses, the pilot reported, over the Monticello Regional Airport’s Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), that he was experiencing a propeller governor failure, and he was returning to the airport. Shortly thereafter, he reported a total loss of engine power, and that he was attempting an emergency landing in a bean field about 2 miles Southeast of the airport (See figure 1). Figure 1. Accident site location about 2 miles Southeast of the Monticello Regional Airport (Courtesy of Iowa State Troopers). During the subsequent emergency landing in the bean field, with the landing gear in the retracted position, the airplane continued along the wreckage path for about an additional 275 ft from the initial impact point. The main fuselage, and associated debris path was oriented on about a 217° heading. The debris path between the initial impact point and the main wreckage site displayed signs of extensive fuselage fragmentation. Debris consisting of an engine oil tank and oil cooler, a propeller blade, and the accident airplane’s Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 engine, were all found in the debris path. The airplane came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings (See figure 2). Figure 2. Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 engine separated from Airframe with main wreckage in the background (NTSB Photo). An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) Alaska Regional Office, along with an NTSB aviation piston engine specialist, responded to the accident site and examined the airplane wreckage on August 12-14. During the detailed on-scene examination, the investigative team retained various components for additional examination and testing, and results are pending. The wreckage has been moved to a secure site and additional postaccident examinations are pending.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Unknown or undetermined · Unknown
View NTSB preliminary report

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