Accident Sequence
On an unspecified date, a Piper Cherokee Six was receiving vectors from air traffic control for an ILS approach to runway 36R at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. After leveling off from a turn during the last vector, the pilot heard a loud noise and the engine lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful.
Emergency Landing and Fire
The pilot aligned the airplane with a road for an emergency landing. During the descent, the airplane struck trees and power lines, then collided with the pavement and caught fire. The pilot escaped through the cargo door. The cabin area sustained fire damage. The right wing showed evidence of a wire strike at the position of the right main fuel tank, but the main tank was not burned.
Fuel Information
According to the pilot, the airplane had been airborne for a total of 2 hours and 29 minutes on the two legs since refueling, at which time the tanks were topped off. A review of fuel usage records for the airplane indicated that the engine consumes approximately 15 gallons of fuel per hour. The Cherokee Six is equipped with two main fuel tanks with a capacity of 25 gallons each, and two auxiliary fuel tanks with a capacity of 17 gallons each.