What happened
On August 3, 2025, a Piper PA28-180, registration N8359W, was involved in an accident near Stagecoach, Nevada. The flight was being conducted as a solo instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot departed from Silver Springs Airport (SPZ) and proceeded to Dayton Valley Airpark (A34), where three takeoffs and landings were completed without incident. While en route back to Silver Springs, approximately 10 minutes after departing A34, the aircraft was at an altitude of roughly 7,500 feet MSL (3,200 feet AGL) when the pilot heard a loud bang and felt heavy vibrations throughout the airframe. The engine began shaking violently and subsequently lost all power. Upon observing that a propeller blade was missing, the pilot initiated emergency procedures, which included shutting off the fuel, trimming for best glide, and declaring an emergency on the common traffic advisory frequency.
The pilot selected a highway for an emergency landing. While the touchdown itself was uneventful, the pilot lost directional control during the landing roll because the rudder pedal system had been damaged. The aircraft subsequently struck a median curb, resulting in substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot was not injured.