Accident Details
The pilot of a PA-32RT-300 reported that he was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) but had entered instrument meteorological conditions (IFR). He was instructed to maintain VFR at all times. The pilot then continued his own navigation and changed radio frequencies. Shortly after, he radioed a mayday call, after which radio communications were lost.
Witness Observations
Ground witnesses reported hearing the airplane's engine backfiring and sputtering. They observed the aircraft at a low altitude in a left bank, at which point the left wing struck a tree. Discolored foliage was noted near the tree.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left fuel tank was breached and contained no fuel. The right fuel tank was not breached, and less than half a gallon of fuel was drained from it. The fuel selector was found set to the right tank, and the electric fuel pump switch was in the off position.
Fuel History and Calculations
The last known fueling occurred on August 26, with 50 gallons added. The total fuel quantity at that time was unknown. According to Hobbs meter readings, the airplane flew 6.1 hours from departure to the crash. The PA-32RT-300 has a total fuel capacity of 98 gallons, with 94 gallons usable. At 75 percent power, the fuel burn rate is 18 gallons per hour, and the cruise speed is 155 knots.
Analysis of flight segments indicated a total flight time of 3 hours and 50 minutes, leaving 2 hours and 54 minutes of unknown flight time. Assuming the tanks were full at departure, total fuel obtained would be 148 gallons. Approximately 87 gallons were used for the known flights (excluding taxi and climb), leaving about 61 gallons unaccounted for. Based on the Hobbs time of 6.1 hours and a fuel burn of 18 gallons per hour, 110 gallons were consumed, suggesting about 48 gallons remaining at impact. Each tank holds 47 gallons of usable fuel.