ERA26LA180

On April 18, 2026, about 2115 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N643FT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Indiantown, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to perform a night flight to a non-towered airport, then return to the departure airport, as part of his flight training curriculum. He arrived at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), Melbourne, Florida, around 1400 to plan the flight. The flight plan was completed then reviewed by the flight school’s dispatch staff. About 1915, the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and did not observe any anomalies. Based on the electronic fuel gauges and by visual inspection of the fuel tanks, the pilot determined he had full fuel; however, he separately reported 40 gallons (the airplane’s total fuel capacity was 50 gallons). He then started the engine, taxied the airplane to the active runway and performed an engine runup. The engine runup was normal and included a check of the magnetos and carburetor heat functionality. The pilot departed from MLB at 1941 and landed at Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA), West Palm Beach, Florida, after an uneventful flight, about 2045. The pilot taxied back to runway 10 and departed at 2051, for the return flight to MLB. After departure, he maneuvered to the west to avoid nearby controlled airspace and then proceeded northbound. He climbed to 3,500 ft above mean sea level (msl) then performed the cruise checklist. About 25 minutes after departure, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the engine rpm suddenly decreased from 2,600 to 800. He attempted to troubleshoot but was unable to restart the engine. The pilot stated that he thought he changed the fuel tanks after the loss of engine power, but that he “could be wrong.” He then declared “mayday” to air traffic control, secured the engine and prepared for a forced landing. The pilot initially attempted to divert to a nearby airport but determined that the airplane could not reach the airport and then prepared for an off-airport landing on a road. Shortly before landing, the pilot noticed cars driving on the road. The airplane subsequently touched down in a marsh, nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot exited the airplane through a window. A postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector found substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. The inspector “rocked” the wings of the airplane and heard liquid sloshing back and forth in both fuel tanks, but was unable to open the tanks due to the position of the airplane. First responders noted fluid leaking from both wings. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.