Piper PA30 accident near Auburn, Washington, April 18, 2026
On April 18, 2026 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1964 Piper PA30, registered N741TJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Auburn, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. 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
- April 18, 2026 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Auburn, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA30 NO SERIES, built 1964 · all PA30s on the register
- Registration
- N741TJ · registry record · serial 30-477
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On April 18, 2026, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, N741TJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Auburn, Washington. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the flight departed Eureka-Murray Field Airport (EKA), Eureka, California, with about 85 gallons of fuel onboard and was destined for Renton Municipal Airport (RNT), Renton, Washington. The airplane was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and the initial portion of the flight was uneventful. The pilot reported that during the descent, about 2 hours and 29 minutes after departure, the airplane began to feel as though it had encountered wind shear or turbulence. Shortly thereafter, the left engine rpm decreased to about 1,900 rpm, and the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. The left engine rpm subsequently decreased to about 1,600 rpm, and the right engine rpm also began to decrease. At this time the pilot elected to divert to Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), Auburn, Washington. Both engines then further reduced to about 1,500 rpm, and the airplane was unable to maintain the glidepath to the runway. The pilot selected a dirt field southwest of the airport for a forced landing. During the approach to the field, she reduced the engine power to idle, extended the flaps, extended the landing gear and maneuvered the airplane toward the selected landing area. The airplane touched down in the dirt field and subsequently impacted a mound of soil resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that they departed with the main fuel tanks selected and switched to the auxiliary tanks about 1 hour into the flight. The pilot reported that she later switched back to the main tanks before the onset of the engine power fluctuations. The pilot-rated passenger reported that he did not recall which tanks were selected when the engine power fluctuations began. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. During recovery about 60 gallons of fuel were drained from the main fuel tanks.
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 (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: EKA Eureka CA at 5:58 pm
- Destination: RNT Renton WA
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 22,000 ft; a few clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 1:00 pm from KSEA, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSEA 181953Z 24003KT 10SM FEW120 BKN220 17/03 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP170 T01670033
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.