Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, N43956, accident occurred on October 23, 2026, near Flying W Airport & Resort (N14), Medford, New Jersey

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=N43956

- History of Flight:
On October 23, 2026, at about 0923 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, N43956, registered to Freeflight Aviation LLC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near the Flying W Airport & Resort (N14), Medford, New Jersey. The pilot was seriously injured. The local training flight originated from the airport.

Preliminary ADS-B data shows that at 0909, the airplane taxied from the ramp and departed runway 1. The airplane entered the pattern and landed on runway 1 and proceeded towards the taxiway where it conducted a ground run and lined up again with runway 1. The airplane departed, entered a slow left hand turn while barely climbing, and impacted an open field at the conclusion of the turn about 2000 ft from departure end of runway 1.

The pilot was reportedly ejected and survived with serious injuries. The front section of the wreckage was consumed by a post crash fire.

A witness stated: "I looked up and this plane was flying way out of normal pattern for the airport. Very, very low and it was having bad engine sounds. Like it was sputtering and backfiring."

Figure 1: Taxi, departure, and landing on runway 1

Figure 2: Movement on taxiway and departure from runway 1

Figure 3: Left hand turn

- Weather:

METAR KWRI 231255Z AUTO 03011KT 10SM CLR 11/05 A3032 RMK AO2 SLP267 T01140053 $

METAR KWRI 231355Z AUTO 04009KT 10SM CLR 13/05 A3034 RMK AO2 SLP274 T01300047 $