What happened
On March 21, 2026, at approximately 16:10 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N7328J, was involved in an accident near West Valley City, Utah. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
The pilot departed from South Valley Regional Airport (SVR) in Salt Lake City for a local flight. While returning to the airport at an altitude of approximately 5,800 feet MSL, the engine suffered a partial loss of power. Although the pilot followed the airplane's checklist to attempt to troubleshoot the issue, the engine power could not be restored. Due to the inability to maintain altitude, the pilot performed an off-airport landing in an open dirt field.
During the landing roll, the aircraft encountered rough terrain, causing the nose and right landing gear to collapse. The right wing subsequently impacted the ground. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft showed substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The wreckage was recovered for further study.