Pipistrel ALPHA TRAINER N209ZM

Summary

On 11 July 2025 at about 17:50 local time, a Pipistrel ALPHA TRAINER registered N209ZM was involved in an accident near Colorado City, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 July 2025 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Colorado City, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

36.9190, -113.1667

Aircraft

Pipistrel ALPHA TRAINER

Registration

N209ZM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Canyon Village → Hurricane

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR25LA209

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s never-exceed speed (VNE) during maneuvering, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left flaperon.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during a steep turn maneuver, the airplane pitched down and accelerated rapidly. The pilot stated that the airplane exceeded the never-exceed speed (VNE) and encountered aerodynamic buffeting, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the outboard portion of the left flaperon and substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.