What happened
On October 11, 2024, at 1820 EDT, a Piper PA-28, registration N5006W, was engaged in a Part 91 instructional flight near Louisville, Kentucky. The flight was intended as a familiarization and checkout session for the private pilot.
After approximately one hour of flight, the crew began their return to the departure airport. While performing the final approach for landing, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power. The flight instructor assumed control of the aircraft and executed a forced landing into a grass median adjacent to a road.
During the landing sequence, the aircraft struck a light pole and an automobile. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The occupants of the aircraft sustained the following injuries:
- The flight instructor sustained 1 serious injury.
- The private pilot sustained 1 minor injury.
- Two occupants of the automobile sustained 2 minor injuries.
Weather conditions at the time were Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 160 degrees at 4 knots.