N2886X

On January 13, 2024, about 1300 mountain standard time, a Piper PA 28-181, N2886X, sustained substantial damage when it was in an accident near Colorado City, Arizona. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that after they departed Colorado City Municipal Airport, Colorado City, (AZC), he conducted a practice RNAV instrumental approach to the Kanab Municipal Airport, Kanab, Utah, and executed the published missed approach. While ascending through about 8,000 ft to 8,200 ft, the engine started vibrating and producing a loud “clunking” noise.

As an attempt to troubleshoot the rough running engine, the pilot applied carburetor heat which made the engine run more erratically. As he turned the carburetor heat off, smoke had entered the cockpit, and he decided to shut the engine down by retarding the mixture to idle cutoff and moving the throttle to idle. The pilot established best glide airspeed and initiated a turn to the northwest while he began to select the best place to land. During the landing roll, the nose wheel landing gear sheared off and the left wingtip struck the ground resulting in substantial damage.

The airplane has been recovered to a secure location for further examination.