Accident Details
On April 16, 2011, about 1415 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22/20, registration N3621Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power following takeoff from Lakefront Airport (NEW) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The driver of a struck vehicle was reportedly not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for Saint Charles Airport (LS40) in Ama, Louisiana, which began around 1400.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, after a morning of local flying, he dropped off a passenger at NEW and departed for LS40. After takeoff, the airplane's engine began to run "extremely rough." The pilot stated that he switched the fuel selector from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank and then back to the left tank position. He reported that pumping the engine's primer appeared to help, but being at low altitude and descending, he focused on landing. During the forced landing to a road, the airplane's right wing impacted a moving minivan. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright with the right wing low.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination at the scene showed the right wing spars bent upward and aft. A small amount of fuel was found over the left sump of the left wing tank, while the right wing tank was full of fuel. The fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank. The wreckage was retained for further examination. On April 18, 2011, the airplane was examined in Marrero, Louisiana. The engine showed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. During the examination, the pilot, who was present, said he had been operating the engine with fuel from the left tank all day. He explained that he did not switch fuel tanks because he had flown several short flights that day. His usual practice was to take off with the engine feeding from the left tank and, after leveling off and stabilizing, select the right tank. On the accident day, he had forgotten to switch tanks. He had just taken off and was about 400 feet above ground level when he lost power. Unable to get the engine to restart after switching tanks, he committed to the landing.