Accident Overview
On November 24, 2024, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N55641, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain and a fence near Gillette, Wyoming. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
The pilot reported departing earlier in the day from Coos Bay, Oregon, on a long cross-country flight with two planned fuel stops. After an uneventful first fuel stop, the pilot continued and landed at Gillette about 1540 for the second fuel stop. He filled the airplane with full fuel and departed from runway 34.
Accident Sequence
After liftoff, as the pilot retracted the landing gear passing midfield, he smelled fuel and the engine began to sputter. He initiated a right turn back to the airport, but the airplane could not maintain altitude. It touched down in a field and struck a fence. During the event, the wings sustained substantial damage.
Maintenance History
The airplane had undergone maintenance shortly before the accident. Records indicate an annual inspection was performed on November 22, 2024, at a total time of 6861.5 hours, which equated to 5.5 flight hours before the accident.