Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Dallas, GA — 2026-09-04

Investigation ongoingERA26LA328
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Date
2026-09-04
Location
Dallas, GA, USA
Airport
PUJ
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N7635W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
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 September 3, 2026, at 2004 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7635W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dallas, Georgia. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot and flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to perform practice takeoffs and landings at Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport (PUJ), Dallas, Georgia. The student pilot arrived at the airport and performed a preflight inspection of the airplane. He sampled the fuel and found no contaminants, then checked its quantity with a fuel stick. He also checked the engine oil quantity and reported there were 6 quarts indicated on the oil dipstick. The flight instructor stated that he also checked the fuel and oil on the airplane and noted that there was nothing abnormal with the airplane. They then started the airplane and taxied to runway 13 for departure from PUJ. The student and flight instructor both stated that before departure, they performed an engine runup and did not notice anything abnormal. After departure they performed a series of uneventful touch-and-go landings at PUJ. During the accident touch-and-go, on initial climb the engine “cut out.” The flight instructor reported the airplane’s nose pitched down and the engine rpm abruptly dropped, but the propeller continued rotating. The student pilot reported that the flight instructor took control of the airplane and intended to land on a nearby road. Unable to reach that road, the flight instructor performed a forced landing in a densely wooded area. Preliminary review of ADS-B data showed that shortly after crossing the departure end of runway 13, and about 175 ft above ground level, the airplane turned left to the northeast. The airplane stopped climbing, continued to the northeast toward a road, and began descending. Just south of the road, the airplane turned east. Shortly thereafter ADS-B data showed no additional movement of the airplane. An on-scene examination by an FAA inspector found the airplane fuselage laying on its right side, with substantial damage, and both wings separated and suspended in trees. The airplane was equipped with avionics that were capable of recording flight data. They were recovered and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for data download. The airplane’s most recent 100-hour inspection occurred on September 1, 2026. The accident flight was the fifth flight after that inspection. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Unknown or undetermined · Approach-VFR pattern crosswind
  • Loss of engine power (total) · Initial climb
  • Loss of Thrust on Takeoff
View NTSB preliminary report

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