Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Chicken, AK — 2025-08-24

Investigation ongoingANC25LA094
Sign in to save
Date
2025-08-24
Location
Chicken, AK, USA
Airport
CKX
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N7771N
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 August 24, 2025, about 0820 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N7771N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chicken, Alaska. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the second passenger was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, during climb-out following a low pass to inspect the gravel runway at Chicken Airport, the engine experienced a partial loss of power accompanied by a vibration. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain approximately half a mile northwest of the airfield, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The wreckage will be recovered to a secure facility, and a detailed NTSB examination is pending.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (partial) · Initial climb
  • Loss of Thrust on Takeoff
View NTSB preliminary report

Related mishaps