What happened
On March 4, 2026, at approximately 07:21 MST, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N7744T, was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. The aircraft was conducting a Part 91 instructional flight when it experienced an engine power loss.
According to FAA ADS-B data, the aircraft departed from runway 07R at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) at approximately 07:15. After flying 1.5 miles on the upwind leg, the aircraft turned northeast toward a practice area. At approximately 07:19, while at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the aircraft began a left turn toward the west and entered a gradual descent.
The flight instructor reported that the engine RPM decreased to between 600 and 700 RPM, accompanied by vibrations. Although the instructor applied full throttle and leaned the mixture to attempt to regain power, the engine continued to produce reduced power and eventually failed completely about 5 to 10 seconds before impact. The instructor had notified the DVT tower of the situation and the intention to return to the airport.
Security camera footage showed the aircraft approaching the site at a low altitude, performing a shallow right turn, and increasing pitch before the right wing dropped. The aircraft struck the roof of one residence and then an exterior wall of a second residence, finally coming to rest in the backyard of the second home.
There were one serious injury and two minor injuries resulting from the accident. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries, while the student pilot and one person on the ground sustained minor injuries. No fatalities occurred.