Piper PA-28-140 accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina, March 8, 2026
On March 8, 2026 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N98360, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Indian Trail, North Carolina (Goose Creek airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2026 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Indian Trail, North Carolina · Goose Creek · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N98360 · registry record · serial 28-26184
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 8, 2026, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N98360, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane had a total of 24 gallons of fuel onboard. After completing the preflight inspection, which included checking that fuel samples taken from the tank drains were absent of contaminants, they taxied to the runway for departure. The before takeoff checks were completed with no anomalies noted. The pilot conducted a short field takeoff and established an initial climb. About 1,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine “cut out”. The pilot reported multiple engine power fluctuations and was unable to maintain lift. He attempted a forced landing in a field, but the airplane’s left wing struck a tree about 30 ft agl, which separated the wing from the fuselage, and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector found that the fuel selector was selected to the right wing fuel tank, which contained several gallons of fuel. A fuel sample was taken from the fuel tank drain and was absent of water or debris. The engine did not exhibit any external signatures of a catastrophic engine failure and contained 5 quarts of oil. According to the operator of the airplane, the engine had accumulated about 2,200 hours since it was overhauled in 2016. The most recent annual inspection of the airframe and engine was completed on December 23, 2025, and no major engine repairs were performed thereafter. The wreckage was retained for further examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 23, 2025
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Jts Aircraft LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft; a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from EQY, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KEQY 081753Z AUTO 24015G20KT 10SM -RA FEW070 SCT080 OVC100 23/16 A3001 RMK AO2 RAB51 SLP163 P0000 60000 T02280156 10239 20178 58007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.