PIPER PA-28-180

Full Narrative

On August 3, 2025, at about 0730 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA28-180, N8359W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stagecoach, Nevada. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The pilot departed Silver Springs Airport (SPZ) earlier in the morning for the solo flight. After completing 3 uneventful takeoffs and landings at Dayton Valley Airpark (A34), he began the return leg to Silver Springs. About 10 minutes after departure, at an altitude of about 7,500 ft msl (3,200 ft agl), the pilot experienced a loud bang followed by heavy airframe vibration. The engine was shaking violently and then lost all power. He could see a propeller was blade missing, so he prepared for an emergency landing by shutting off the fuel and trimming the airplane for best glide airspeed. He then set the transponder to 7700 and declared an emergency on the Dayton Valley and Silver Springs common traffic advisory frequency.

The pilot chose a highway for landing, and the touchdown was uneventful. During the landing roll it became apparent that the rudder pedal system had been damaged, so the pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane struck a median curb. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount during the accident sequence.