N9913WPiper PA-28-140 · 1967

On March 20, 2026, about 1503 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N9913W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rock Falls, Illinois. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The student pilot’s flight instructor stated that the student pilot arrived at the Whiteside County Airport (SQI) in Rock Falls, Illinois, around 1430 to complete his 10th solo flight since receiving his solo endorsement on February 12, 2026. According to the instructor the wind had been variable throughout the day and favored both runway 36 and runway 25 with windy conditions. The instructor stated that the student pilot was going to use runway 25 but was unsure what flight maneuver he was going perform for the local area flight.

At 1503, an automatic crash detection alert was received by local emergency services from the student pilot’s Apple iPhone. At 1510, first responders discovered the airplane upright in an agricultural field 1,100 ft south of runway 25. There were no witnesses who observed the accident.

The airplane came to rest upright on a heading of about 323°. The main debris field was about 36 ft in length on a heading of about 087° with the initial impact point ground scar containing fragments of the left wing tip and leading edge. A second impact ground depression was about 22 ft past the intimal impact point and contained forward fuselage debris. The left wing was separated from the airframe and found 67 ft past the initial impact point (see figure 1).

Figure 1. Accident Site Diagram

A secondary debris field extended past the airframe on a heading of about 087° and contained various baggage compartment items, sections of the cockpit instrument panel and interior, and personal items.

The right flap and flap control system were found in the full down position with the flap handle (Johnson bar) locked in that position. The flap handle was manipulated by hand and operated normally, however, the flap control cable between the bar and roller chain was jammed by impact damage and was unable to rotate the flap torque tube. Flight control continuity was established between all flight control surfaces and their respective cockpit controls. The elevator and aileron flight control cables had separations at the forward fuselage and spar box consistent with overload failure. The left pilot seat lap belt was found with the latch engaged but the left sidewall belt attachment pulled free from the airframe structure.

The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand by the propeller and continuity to the accessory section was established. The magnetos were removed and rotated with a drill with spark was observed on all leads. The engine driven fuel pump was also removed with fuel observed in the pump. The entire fuel system was found compromised and open to atmosphere in numerous locations consistent with impact damage. Fuel was only observed in the left fuel tank fuselage fuel line and the left wing fuel tank exhibited hydrologic deformation. No blockages were observed in the fuel lines, all fuel screens were clean, and the fuel selector operated normally.

The airplane was not equipped with an ADS-B Out transponder, and the Mode C transponder was found in the off position. The flight instructor stated that this was not unusual because the student pilot kept the radios off due to the airplane not being equipped with an avionics master switch.

A review of the student pilot’s logbook showed about 20 hours of recorded total flight time; 11.1 hours of dual instruction, and 3.8 hours of recorded solo time as of the logbook’s last entry on February 15, 2026. The flight instructor stated that the student pilot had flown an additional six solo and three dual instruction flights since February 15, 2026. Additionally, the student pilot had performed three unassisted takeoffs and landings with the flight instructor earlier in the day and the flight instructor had no concerns with him performing further solo flights.

A uAvionix Sentry ADS-B IN unit and an Apple iPhone were recovered and retained for further examination.