The Main Wreckage Came To Rest At The Base Of A Mountain Ridge

Location: Round Mountain, NV Accident Number: WPR25LA080
Date & Time: January 2, 2025, 12:30 Local Registration: N4151R
Aircraft: Piper PA-32-300 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 2, 2025, about 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N4151R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Round Mountain, Nevada. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The airplane was the subject of an ALNOT (alert notice) that was issued on January 6, 2025 and was subsequently cancelled on January 16, 2025 after the airplane was located by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The airplane departed from its home airport of North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), Las Vegas, Nevada at an unknown time. Preliminary ADS-B data captured the airplane at 1104:10 about 20 nm west of VGT at 10,000 ft mean sea level (msl). The flight track ceased momentarily, at 1115:51, and subsequently resumed at 1126:07 on a northwesterly course. At 1143:15 the track arced to the north where it remained until it ceased completely at 1203:48 still at approximately 10,000 ft msl.

The wreckage was located by law enforcement about 60 nm north of the last recorded ADS-B data point at the base of the northeastern face of Mt. Jefferson at an elevation of about 11,000 ft msl. Photographs provided by the recovery team showed that the main wreckage came to rest at the base of a mountain ridge. The empennage, comprised of the vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and stabilator, was separated from the fuselage and collocated with the main wreckage. The wings, fuselage, and engine compartment came to rest a few ft from the main wreckage.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov