Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Chandler, AZ — 2026-07-29

Investigation ongoingWPR26FA281
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Date
2026-07-29
Location
Chandler, AZ, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N9062J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On July 28, 2026, about 1949 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9062J, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Preliminary ADS-B data obtained from a commercially available source showed that the airplane departed runway 22R at Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), Chandler, Arizona, at 1948:10. The airplane continued southwest on the departure leg and climbed to a reported GPS altitude of about 1,800 ft. The final recorded ADS-B point, at 1949:31, showed a reported ground speed of 45 knots and a descent rate of about 130 ft per minute. Witnesses at a park about 0.5 miles southeast of the accident site reported observing the airplane flying southwest when they heard the engine sound cease. They stated that the airplane then entered a sharp right turn and descended rapidly. A dashcam video provided to the NTSB depicted the airplane in a steep right bank and rapid descent before ground impact. The airplane impacted a commercial plumbing-supply yard about 0.7 miles from the departure end of runway 22L at CHD. The first identified impact point was a ground scar about 30 ft southwest of the main wreckage. The main wreckage was oriented on an approximate magnetic heading of 097° at an elevation of about 1,226 ft mean sea level. The forward fuselage rested on the concrete lot, while the aft fuselage and empennage extended across a curb into an adjacent dirt-and-gravel area. The engine, fuselage, cabin, wings, and empennage exhibited extensive thermal damage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Unknown or undetermined · Landing
  • Aerodynamic stall/spin · Initial climb
  • Departure Stall
View NTSB preliminary report

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