Circumstances
Before takeoff, the aircraft had been in a heated hangar, where snow melted off. The flight began in blowing snow, with a forecast of occasional moderate icing up to 20,000 feet. The pilot reported that the snow lasted only 5 to 10 minutes, and only a trace of ice (less than 1/16 inch) accumulated during the first 15 minutes of flight. No further ice accumulation was noted.
Loss of Power and Landing
Approximately 45 minutes after takeoff, while cruising in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that were conducive to induction system icing, the engine suddenly lost power and would not restart. The pilot descended toward an airport in IMC to approximately 400 feet above ground level (AGL), but made a wheels-up landing when he could not see the airport.
Induction System
The pilot attributed the loss of power to blockage of the air induction filter. The induction system was equipped with a spring-loaded door designed to open automatically and allow heated alternate air to flow to the engine in the event the filter became blocked. However, Piper indicated that operating in icing conditions could cause ice to accumulate in the fuel injection system, leading to a loss of power. To address this, Piper Service Bulletin No. 861 was issued on May 4, 1987, for the installation of an improved manually operated alternate air system on fuel-injected PA-24-260 aircraft.