What happened
On August 26, 2025, a Piper PA28-140, registration N1684J, was involved in an accident near Seneca, South Carolina. The flight was being conducted as a Part 91 instructional flight for a student pilot working toward a private pilot certificate.
The pilot departed from Jackson County Airport (JCA) in Jefferson, Georgia. Following a preflight inspection where all systems appeared normal, the pilot refueled the aircraft with 25.2 gallons, estimating a total of 42 gallons onboard for a trip requiring approximately 7 gallons.
The flight proceeded uneventfully through takeoff, climb to 5,500 feet MSL, and cruise. While entering the midfield downwind leg for runway 25 at Oconee County Regional Airport (CEU), the pilot selected full flaps. At approximately 600 feet AGL, during the turn from downwind to base, the engine began misfiring and subsequently shut off.
The pilot attempted several troubleshooting steps, including switching fuel tanks, adjusting the mixture to full rich, and manipulating the throttle, while maintaining an 80 mph airspeed. At 100 feet AGL, the pilot determined a runway landing was unlikely and attempted to glide to a nearby field. Surveillance footage captured the aircraft striking a utility pole before impacting a tree line.
The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained one minor injury and was not killed.