Accident
A Piper PA-28R-200 collided with wires during a forced landing after experiencing a loss of engine power. The aircraft then struck a truck, injuring the driver.
Sequence of Events
The airplane lost engine power while flying approximately 700 feet above ground level. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and the engine regained power. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power again, forcing the pilot to land. During the final approach, the airplane struck wires and then a truck.
Pilot Actions and Fuel Status
The pilot indicated that he completed preflight checks before takeoff and noted no fuel in the airplane's right tank but adequate fuel in the left tank to complete the flight. The left tank contained about 15 gallons of fuel remaining after the accident. The pilot reported that he had switched tanks before the engine failure, which caused the engine to fail due to fuel starvation.
Investigation Findings
Examination and operational testing of the engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies or malfunctions. There was no evidence of any fuel spill at the accident site. The right wing was severed, and the right fuel tank ruptured. The day before the accident, the engine had quit during a flight and was restarted; the pilot did not determine the cause of that initial engine failure.