What happened
While receiving vectors from air traffic control for an ILAS approach to runway 36R at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, the pilot of a Cherokee Six experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The event occurred after the aircraft leveled off from a turn during the final vector, at which point the pilot heard a loud noise.
Following unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft toward a road to perform an emergency landing. During the descent, the aircraft struck trees and power lines before impacting the pavement. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire. The pilot was not injured and successfully escaped the aircraft through the cargo door; however, the cabin area sustained fire damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system and noted that the right wing showed evidence of a wire strike at the location of the right main fuel tank, though the tank itself was not burned. Records indicated the aircraft had been airborne for 2 hours and 29 minutes since its last refueling, during which time the tanks had been topped off. Based on fuel usage records, the engine consumes approximately 15 gallons of fuel per hour. The Cherokee Six is configured with two main fuel tanks, each with a 25-gallon capacity, and two auxiliary fuel tanks, each with a 17-gallon capacity.