What happened
On November 17, 2025, at approximately 0830 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N4402N, was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona. The aircraft was being operated by CAE Aviation Academy Phoenix LLC as part of a Part 91 instructional flight.
Following a training session, the flight instructor and student pilot returned to Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) to perform three touch-and-go landings and one go-around. While flying the traffic pattern in an extended downwind for runway 4L, the crew entered the base leg. As they prepared for the approach, the engine experienced an uncommanded reduction of power.
The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and attempted to restore power by advancing the mixture and throttle levers, but the engine failed to respond. Realizing the aircraft could not reach the runway, the instructor performed a forced landing on a gravel road running parallel to a water canal. Approximately 100 yards into the landing roll, the right wing struck a cinder block fence, causing the aircraft to stop.
The crew members were not injured during the event. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings, the left stabilizer, and the fuselage.