A small aircraft crashed in brush near Thun Field in Puyallup on Monday afternoon after losing power during a post-maintenance test flight, leaving two occupants with minor injuries.
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue crews and Pierce County deputies responded to the aircraft emergency just before 3 p.m. after the plane went down outside the airport perimeter. Both occupants were transported to hospital with non-serious injuries.
According to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, the aircraft experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff during what was described as a test flight following recent maintenance work. The pilots attempted to return to the runway but were unable to reach the airport, crashing in brush just short of Thun Field.
The incident highlights the risks associated with post-maintenance test flights, which are routine procedures designed to verify aircraft systems are functioning properly after repairs or inspections. Despite the pilots’ efforts to execute an emergency return, the aircraft’s power loss prevented a safe landing at the airport.
The aircraft sustained significant damage in the crash, though the relatively minor injuries to both occupants suggest the pilots may have successfully executed emergency procedures to minimise impact forces. Brush terrain likely helped absorb some of the crash energy compared to a hard surface landing.
Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigators are expected to examine the wreckage to determine the specific cause of the power loss. Post-maintenance engine failures can result from various factors including improper reassembly, contaminated fuel systems, or component malfunctions.
Thun Field serves as a general aviation airport for the South Sound region and regularly handles small aircraft operations including training flights and maintenance test procedures.
