What happened
On March 26, 2026, at approximately 0720 central daylight time, a Piper PA28-140, registration N1653J, was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Texas. The aircraft was operating as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
During the initial climb phase, while still positioned over the runway, the aircraft suffered a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to land straight ahead, touching down in a grassy area just beyond the end of the runway. During the landing rollout, the aircraft struck the airport's perimeter chain link fence, which caused substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the accident site and confirmed that fuel was present in both wing tanks. Testing of the sump fuel from the tanks revealed no evidence of water contamination. Additionally, the aircraft had been recently refueled, and the airport's fuel supply showed no signs of contamination. The aircraft was retained for further examination.