Preliminary information
On August 6, 2026, about 1355 eastern daylight time, a Piper Aircraft PA-32-260 airplane, N8791E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pinetown, North Carolina. The private pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, after departing Martin County Airport (MCZ), Williamston, North Carolina, enroute to Ocracoke Island Airport (W95), Ocracoke, North Carolina, he climbed to and leveled at 3,000 ft mean sea level. About 10 minutes after establishing cruise flight, the engine experienced a total loss of power.
The pilot established the airplane's best-glide airspeed, transmitted a mayday call, and attempted to restart the engine. Unable to restore engine power, he selected a logging path within a wooded area for a forced landing. During the landing rollout, the airplane's left wing struck a tree. The airplane subsequently impacted another tree and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ANC26LA080 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 6, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pinetown, North Carolina
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-32-260
- N-number
- N8791E
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.