Both pilots were killed when a small training plane crashed during a landing at Erie Municipal Airport on October 19, 2025, after witnesses reported the aircraft executing a go-around before entering a low-nose spin east of runway 34.
The aircraft was on an instructional flight with one instructor and one pilot in training. They departed runway 34 at Erie, making multiple touch-and-go landings.
At the time of the crash, the weather at Erie was far from optimal for flying. According to the radar, the winds were variable, gusting to 20mph. These winds are strong and difficult for a small aircraft to handle. The investigators listed this as a possible factor in the crash.
According to the investigation, during the aircraft’s 5th approach, witnesses reported seeing it execute a go-around before touching down on the runway. They saw the aircraft pitch up, a movement consistent with the maneuver, before pitching down sharply and entering a low-nose spin. The plane then impacted the ground just east of the runway.
The wreckage provided investigators with more insight, showing that all aircraft parts were intact before impact. The propeller and engine both remained securely attached, the left wing was fully attached to the fuselage, and the right wing had ripped from its mounting on impact. The airplane’s emergency parachute, a chute that can guide the entire plane to the ground safely, was not deployed. Upon further inspection, investigators found that the parachute activation handle was in working condition, and the system that propels the parachute outward was functioning properly, as it was discharged by firefighters on the scene. The landing gear, a non-retractable tricycle configuration, was crushed under the fuselage.
After the crash, the airport was briefly shut down to allow investigators to investigate. Once the airport reopened and resumed normal operations, the nearby flight schools began further emphasizing the importance of proper go-around procedures.
