A Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration N4388J, experienced an in-flight engine-related emergency on October 8, 2026, forcing the pilot to make a precautionary forced landing near the north gate of Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

After the aircraft went down, air traffic control initially struggled to locate its exact position. With uncertainty surrounding the aircraft’s location, a nearby Aviat A-1B Husky, registration N928NH, offered assistance in the search.

The Husky pilot searched the surrounding area and successfully located the Piper near the base’s north gate, approximately 1,000 feet beyond the gate.

The pilot then relayed the location to ATC, providing crucial information to help coordinate the emergency response.

The incident highlights how cooperation between pilots and air traffic controllers can make a difference during an aviation emergency, especially when a downed aircraft is difficult to locate.