Incident Overview
On March 24, 2012, at approximately 1753 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, registration N7309W, experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering near Margaret, Alabama. The private pilot conducted an off-airport forced landing onto a nearby road. The pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.
Flight Details
The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from Talladega Municipal Airport (ASN), Talladega, Alabama, about 1720.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at about 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, turned on the fuel pumps, and attempted to restart the engine, but it did not restart. He subsequently landed on a public road and encountered a ditch during the landing roll. After exiting the airplane, no fuel was observed leaking from the fuel tanks; however, a small amount of fuel was observed leaking from the engine area after the fire department arrived on scene.
Examination Findings
An initial examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane landed on a public road and, during the landing roll, encountered a 6-foot ditch and came to rest, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall. The right fuel tank was devoid of fuel, and the left fuel tank had approximately 15 gallons of fuel. With the "LEFT" tank selected, fuel flowed without hindrance through the fuel selector valve from the left wing tank. The electric fuel pump was tested and operated. A follow-up examination confirmed engine continuity from the propeller hub to the rear accessory pad.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a single-engine, four-place, low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction with fixed tricycle landing gear. It comprised a steel tube fuselage and an aluminum frame wing. According to FAA photographs, it had two 25-gallon fuel tanks—one in each wing—and was equipped with a Lycoming O-360-A3A engine. According to the pilot, the airplane had an annual inspection on September 3, 2010. He also reported that after the local fire department arrived, he had switched the fuel tank selector valve to "OFF".
Performance Considerations
According to the Airplane Flight Manual, "Performance Charts," specifically "Glide Performance," at the reported altitude, the airplane's glide distance in statute miles was about 3 miles. The manual also indicated that fuel consumption, assuming "best economy" cruise, would have been approximately 9 gallons per hour. It could not be accurately determined if "best economy" cruise was utilized by the pilot.