What happened
On January 10, 2026, at approximately 19:25 EST, a Piper PA-28-180, registration N6516J, was involved in an accident near Port St. Lucie, Florida. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
Prior to departure from Okeechobee County Airport (OBE), the pilot had filled the fuel tanks with approximately 40 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. During pre-start procedures, the pilot noted dim cockpit and cabin lights and was unable to start the engine until a jump start was provided. After takeoff, the engine failed to produce sufficient power to maintain a proper climb rate. After passing 2,000 feet MSL, the aircraft suffered a total loss of engine power.
The pilot attempted several engine restart procedures but was unsuccessful. While attempting a descending 180-degree right turn toward Okeechobee County Airport, the pilot determined the aircraft could not reach the runway and attempted a forced landing in a field. During the approach, the aircraft struck trees, causing both wings to separate. The fuselage then impacted the terrain in a nose-down, inverted attitude approximately 100 feet from the initial tree impact. The pilot and passenger sustained two serious injuries.
Maintenance history
The pilot had recently purchased the aircraft, which had been flown from California to Florida. While the magnetos had been recently overhauled and a new wiring harness had been installed, the aircraft's most recent annual inspection was performed on December 9, 2025, approximately five years after the preceding annual inspection. The pilot noted that during the four-day ferry flight, the ferry pilot reported that the alternator had experienced intermittent drops in voltage.