What happened
On August 16, 2025, at approximately 17:37 PDT, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N8150J, was involved in an accident near San Diego, California. The aircraft was operating under Part 91 regulations for a local personal flight.
The pilot and a passenger departed Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) with full fuel. While flying north along the coastline, the pilot transitioned between fuel tanks approximately 15 minutes into the flight. The pilot noted he could not recall if he clearly felt the position detents when adjusting the fuel tank selector valve handle.
At an altitude of 1,700 feet mean sea level, the engine began to sputter and experienced a loss of partial power. The pilot declared an emergency with Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control. In an attempt to troubleshoot the power loss, the pilot activated the fuel pump, switched fuel tanks again, and checked the ignition, but the engine continued to sputter.
The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into the southbound lanes of Interstate 805. During the landing roll, the left wing of the aircraft struck a highway sign post. The aircraft came to rest upright against the center highway divider. The impact caused substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and horizontal stabilator. The pilot and passenger were not injured.