What happened
On November 24, 2024, at approximately 16:30 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N55641, was involved in an accident near Gillette, Wyoming. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
The pilot had departed from Coos Bay, Oregon, earlier that day for a long cross-country flight involving two planned fuel stops. Following an uneventful first fuel stop, the aircraft landed in Gillette at approximately 15:40 for the second fuel stop. After refueling, the pilot departed from runway 34.
As the aircraft passed midfield, the pilot retracted the landing gear. Immediately following this action, the pilot reported a smell of fuel and the engine began to sputter. The pilot attempted a right turn to return to the airport, but the aircraft could not maintain its altitude. The airplane subsequently touched down in a field and struck a fence, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. The pilot and passenger sustained 2 minor injuries, and there were 0 fatalities.
Maintenance history
Records indicate the aircraft had undergone an annual inspection on November 22, 2024, at 6,861.5 total flight hours. This maintenance occurred 5.5 flight hours prior to the accident.