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=N9062J
- History of Flight:
On July 28, 2026, at about 1949 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C, N9062J, registered to True to Life Productions Inc out of Snowflake, Arizona, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD/KCHD), Chandler, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured.
The airplane was recently sold by the registered owner mentioned above. Flight-tracking history shows that the airplane departed on two local flights out of CHD on July the 24th and 27th.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1948:25, the airplane was first observed on takeoff from runway 22R. At 1948:46, the airplane was seen approaching the departure end of the runway at 71 knots groundspeed. At 1948:55, the airplane crossed the departure end and was at 1,500 ft and 66 knots groundspeed. For the next few seconds, the airplane continued to climb, but the groundspeed kept going down. At 1949:25, the airplane reached the crest of its climb at 2,000 ft and 61 knots groundspeed when it stopped climbing and entered a shallow descent. At 1949:38, the last ADS-B data point was recorded about 0.80 mile from the departure end at ground elevation with a reported groundspeed of 46 knots and -320 feet per minute vertical rate.
The actual accident site was located located ~0.81 mile from the departure end of runway 22R at the edge of a commercial parking lot. The accident site was also located about 600 ft and to the right side from the last recorded ADS-B data point.
Dashcam video footage showed the airplane in an aggressive right bank/roll and appeared to be slowly recovering before it impacted terrain out of view and a post crash fire ensued.
 |
| Figure 1: ADS-B exchange ran through Google Earth, "1" indicates top of climb, "2" indicates last ADS-B data point, "3" indicates impact point |
 |
| Figure 2: Entire track |
 |
| Figure 3: End of track |
According to Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications, the airplane was cleared for departure from runway 22R: "Cherokee 9062 Juliet Chandler Tower, fly straight out runway 22 right, cleared for takeoff." One minute later, the pilot of another airplane reported the accident: "Hey Tower, I think that airplane that just took off in front of us just crashed." The controller reacted: "Cherokee 62 Juliet... Chandler Tower... you up?" There was no response from the accident pilot. Another pilot reported: "We're 10 miles to the southwest. We've got eyes on the fire and smoke."
The FAA reported: "Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances and post crash fire."
- Weather:
The 1947 weather observation at KCHD included: Winds 230 at 7 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 39°C, dew point 16°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.74 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was 4567 ft.
(1) METARs:
METAR KCHD 290147Z 27004KT 10SM CLR 40/15 A2973
METAR KCHD 290247Z 23007KT 10SM CLR 39/16 A2974 <<<
METAR KCHD 290355Z AUTO 26007KT 10SM CLR 38/16 A2976 RMK AO2 T03770155
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Phoenix AZ 400 PM MST Tue Jul 28 2026 .UPDATE... Updated Aviation && .KEY MESSAGES... - High pressure will center itself over Arizona and strengthen late this week resulting in hotter temperatures and widespread major to extreme Heat Risk. - Extreme Heat Warnings have been expanded to cover the entire forecast area starting Thursday, and continuing through the weekend. - Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms will continue over eastern Arizona high terrain, but will decrease considerably and become almost entirely confined to the most prominent terrain features the remainder of the week.
