Accident Overview
On May 14, 2012, at approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, registration N7171P, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a field near Shawnee, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a ferry flight.
Flight Details
The flight originated from Sundance Airpark (KHSD) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at about 1315, and was en route to Shawnee Regional Airport (KSNL). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Sequence of Events
On final approach, the pilot lowered the landing gear handle but did not receive confirmation that the landing gear was down and locked. The pilot reported that "a lot of force" was required to operate the manual gear override, but he was unable to raise the handle. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing with the landing gear retracted. During the landing, the right wing was buckled and the firewall was wrinkled.
Post-Accident Examination
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the aircraft at the scene, the mixture cable was bent and would not move. The routing of the mixture cable did not match assembly drawings. The mixture cable was found separated from its last clamp prior to the carburetor mixture control, and the mixture control was in the cutoff position. Several clamps normally used to route the mixture cable were missing. A grease fitting on the over-center link for the nose landing gear was in line with the bend in the mixture cable.
Additional Information
The pilot stated that the engine had just been removed and reinstalled for an overhaul prior to the flight.