Accident Overview
On September 29, 2013, at 2050 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N31688, made a hard landing short of the approach end of runway 12 at Algona Municipal Airport (AXA), Algona, Iowa. The private pilot and a flight instructor on board were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
Flight Details
The airplane was registered to Okoboji Flyers LLC and operated by the private pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed; the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The accident leg originated from Estherville Municipal Airport (EST), Estherville, Iowa, at 1800.
The pilot had departed Spencer, Iowa, and flew to EST to pick up the flight instructor for a flight review. The airplane contained 34 gallons of fuel before takeoff, and the pilot switched fuel tanks every 30 minutes during the flight. After departing EST, they flew south then east for about one hour. Based on the distance from EST and the remaining fuel, the pilot chose to proceed to AXA, a closer airport, to obtain fuel before returning to EST.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 38 miles northeast of AXA, the pilot listened to the automated weather observation system (AWOS) for the airport. He reported no notices to airmen (NOTAMs) on the AWOS. The flight continued toward AXA. About one mile from the airport, the engine began to sputter. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and the engine regained power. The airplane circled the airport three times while attempting to activate the runway lights. On the fourth pass, the engine lost power. The pilot subsequently executed a hard landing short of the approach end of runway 12.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that no useable fuel remained in the fuel tanks.
Airport Conditions
The airport manager stated that the airport was closed between September 16, 2013, and October 9, 2013, due to runway construction. A NOTAM was issued, runway numbers were crossed out, the airport beacon light was turned off, and the pilot-controlled runway lights were deactivated. The airport manager added that runway closure information was placed on the AWOS, but it kept dropping off.