What happened
On December 19, 2024, at approximately 1515 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, registration N7833P, was conducting a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 near Mesa, Arizona. After departing runway 22L from Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), the pilot notified tower personnel that the aircraft had lost engine power. The pilot attempted a 180-degree turn to land on runway 4L, but the aircraft landed short of the runway in an orange grove. There were no injuries to the pilot or the pilot-rated passenger.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the wreckage showed that the entire aircraft came to rest at the accident site. During the event, the engine separated from the airplane at its engine mounts and was found adjacent to the right door, forward of the right wing. The aircraft was moved to a secure storage facility for further examination.