Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA30 near Auburn, WA — 2026-04-18

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA163
Sign in to save
Date
2026-04-18
Location
Auburn, WA, USA
Airport
S50
Aircraft
PIPER PA30
Registration
N741TJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

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 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.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (total) · Enroute-cruise
  • Engine Failure Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

Related mishaps