Accident Summary
On March 20, 2026, at approximately 1503 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, registration N9913W, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in an agricultural field about 1,100 ft south of runway 25 at Whiteside County Airport (SQI) in Rock Falls, Illinois. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Aircraft and Flight Information
The student pilot arrived at SQI around 1430 to complete his 10th solo flight since receiving his solo endorsement on February 12, 2026. According to his flight instructor, the wind had been variable throughout the day and favored both runway 36 and runway 25 under windy conditions. The student pilot intended to use runway 25, but the instructor was unsure of the specific flight maneuver planned. The instructor had observed the student perform three unassisted takeoffs and landings earlier that day and had no concerns regarding further solo flights.
Accident Site Examination
First responders arrived at 1510 after receiving an automatic crash detection alert from the student pilot’s Apple iPhone. The airplane came to rest upright on a heading of about 323°. The main debris field measured approximately 36 ft in length on a heading of about 087°. The initial impact point ground scar contained fragments of the left wing tip and leading edge. A second impact depression was located about 22 ft beyond the initial point and contained forward fuselage debris. The left wing was separated from the airframe and found 67 ft past the initial impact point. A secondary debris field extended past the airframe on a heading of about 087° and included sections of the cockpit instrument panel and interior, baggage items, and personal effects.
Postaccident Examination
The right flap and flap control system were found in the full-down position, with the flap handle (Johnson bar) locked in that position. The flap handle operated normally when manipulated by hand, but the flap control cable between the bar and roller chain was jammed due to impact damage and could not rotate the flap torque tube. Flight control continuity was established between all flight control surfaces and their respective cockpit controls. The elevator and aileron flight control cables exhibited separations at the forward fuselage and spar box consistent with overload failure. The left pilot seat lap belt was found with the latch engaged, but the left sidewall belt attachment had pulled free from the airframe structure.
Engine continuity was established by rotating the crankshaft by hand via the propeller; the magnetos produced spark on all leads when rotated with a drill. The engine-driven fuel pump contained fuel upon removal. The fuel system was compromised and open to the atmosphere in multiple locations due to impact damage. Fuel was observed only in the left fuel tank fuselage fuel line. The left wing fuel tank exhibited hydrologic deformation. No fuel line blockages were found, all fuel screens were clean, and the fuel selector operated normally.
The airplane was not equipped with an ADS-B Out transponder; the Mode C transponder was found in the off position. The flight instructor stated that this was not unusual because the student pilot kept the radios off since the airplane lacked an avionics master switch.
Pilot Information
A review of the student pilot’s logbook showed approximately 20 hours of total flight time as of its last entry on February 15, 2026, including 11.1 hours of dual instruction and 3.8 hours of solo flight. The instructor reported that the student had completed six additional solo flights and three dual instruction flights after that date. A uAvionix Sentry ADS-B IN unit and an Apple iPhone were recovered from the wreckage for further examination.