Accident
On February 24, 2026, at about 1107 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, registration N85RW, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees and terrain during an off-airport landing near Arno, Tennessee. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight Details
The pilot stated the purpose of the cross-country flight was to build experience for a commercial pilot certificate. During the preflight inspection, he visually confirmed the fuel level was “to the tabs” in the fuel tanks, equating to 40 gallons, and noted the electronic fuel gauges indicated the same quantity. After completing before takeoff checks, he departed for Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MBT), Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Preliminary ADS-B data from the FAA showed the airplane departed at about 0827, climbed to 4,200 ft, then descended and landed at Jackson Regional Airport (MKL), Jackson, Tennessee, at about 1005.
The pilot reported that after landing, he taxied back to the active runway without shutting down the airplane for the return flight to MBT. He estimated that 10-15 gallons of fuel remained in each wing tank before departure. He completed his takeoff checklist and departed from MKL at 1013. ADS-B data showed the airplane climbed on a southwesterly heading to a cruising altitude of about 7,000 ft, where it remained for 35 minutes. Approximately 36 minutes before arrival at his destination, the pilot felt the airplane’s “controls vibrating.” Suspecting carburetor ice, he applied carburetor heat. He then noticed the engine sputtering and the engine gauges “going back and forth.” The fuel gauges for each wing tank fluctuated from 0 to 10 gallons and back to 0. The engine oil temperature and pressure gauges decreased, followed by a total loss of engine power. He turned on the electric fuel pump and rotated the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank. The engine restarted but lost all power about a minute later. Returning the fuel selector to the left tank did not restart the engine.
The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control. Unable to reach a nearby airport, he selected a field for an off-airport landing. The last ADS-B data point at 1107 showed the airplane at 825 ft above mean sea level (msl) descending at 896 ft per minute. The airplane impacted trees at the edge of a field and came to rest on the edge of a hill.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and wings. The wings separated from the fuselage at the wing roots and remained partially suspended in trees. Both wings sustained leading edge damage, scrapes, multiple punctures, and broken fuel lines, and were absent of fuel. The engine oil level gauge indicated about 4 quarts of oil at the time of recovery. The fuel strainer was observed displaced aft, consistent with impact damage, and was absent of fuel. The wreckage was retained for further examination.