Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance II, N78PL, incident occurred on July 2, 2026, near Redstone Arsenal, Alabama

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N78PL

- History of Flight:
On July 2, 2026, at about 0753 local time, a privately-registered Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance II, N78PL, sustained unknown damage following a forced landing near Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Huntsville International Airport (HSV/KHSV), Huntsville, Alabama, at 0743.

The FAA reported that: "Aircraft experienced engine issues and landed on a road."

According to Air Traffic Control (ATC) communication, the pilot reported reported an engine failure shortly after takeoff from HSV. "Approach N78PL, we’re going to declare an emergency return to Huntsville." Then he added: "We have oil on the wind screen. Maintain our altitude, I’m afraid we’re going to lose our engine." The ATC responded: "N78PL, I have Redstone at your 12:00 in 8 miles, additionally I have any runway open at Huntsville." The pilot responded: "We’re straight in at Redstone right now as much as we can see through our wind screen."

The pilot was unable to make Redstone and ended up landing on a road. The controller asked another pilot to fly over the scene, and that pilot confirmed the airplane landed and appeared to be intact.

Post-incident photos showed that oil was covering the engine, front fuselage, windshield, and tail.

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange data

Figure 2: End of track