Preliminary information
On March 26, 2026, about 0720 central daylight time, a Piper PA28-140 airplane, N1653J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to preliminary information obtained from the pilot, during the initial climb and while still over the runway, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead, touching down just past the runway in a grassy area. During the landing rollout, the airplane collided with the airport’s perimeter chain link fence resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
A FAA inspector responded to the accident site and found fuel in both wing tanks. Sumped fuel from the tanks showed no evidence of water contamination. The airplane had recently been fueled, and the airport’s fuel also showed no evidence of contamination.
The airplane was retained for further examination.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA149 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 26, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Atlanta, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Hall-Miller Muni (ATA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N1653J
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1967
- 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.