Piper PA-28-140 accident near Chandler, Arizona, May 15, 2026
On May 15, 2026 at about 3:43 am local time, a 1969 Piper PA-28-140, registered N8714N, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Chandler, Arizona (Alfalfa Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. 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
- May 15, 2026 · about 3:43 am local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Alfalfa Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140, built 1969 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N8714N · registry record · serial 28-25615
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 14, 2026, at 2043 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28, N8714N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, after several takeoffs and landings at a private airstrip near Chandler, Arizona he heard a loud popping sound from the engine. The engine subsequently began running rough and operating at reduced power as the airplane descended about 300 ft per minute. The pilot reported the loss of engine power to air traffic control while approximately 8 nm south of Chandler Municipal Airport. The pilot continued toward the airport while assessing potential emergency landing sites. When the airplane descended to about 1,800 ft mean sea level, the pilot determined the airplane would not reach the airport and selected a nearby field for an emergency landing. During the landing rollout, the airplane crossed a berm at the edge of the field. The nose landing gear subsequently separated after encountering soft terrain, and the airplane came to rest in the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The propeller was damaged, and the nose landing gear separated during the accident sequence. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by the FAA revealed an oil residue on the right side of the engine. 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 enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,460 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: A39 Maricopa AZ at 3:34 am
- Destination: KCHD Chandler AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCHD 160347Z COR 28005KT 10SM CLR 33/M00 A2976=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.