Incident Overview
The incident occurred on December 5, 2017, at about 1400 central standard time. A Piper PA-28-180, registration N747KM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Brewton, Alabama. The private pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Atlanta, Georgia, and was destined for Pensacola International Airport (PNS) in Pensacola, Florida. The airplane was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight at 8,000 feet mean sea level for about two hours when air traffic control (ATC) instructed him to descend to 4,000 feet and navigate around thunderstorms in the area. The pilot reported strong headwinds and expressed a preference to remain at the higher altitude, but he complied with ATC's direction. Shortly after, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot notified ATC of his intention to divert to Brewton Municipal Airport (12J) in Brewton, Alabama. However, due to the strong headwind, he determined that the airplane could not glide to the airport and attempted to land in a field. During the approach, the airplane struck tree tops and landed hard. During the roll-out, it contacted a fence post, damaging the right wing.
Aircraft Damage and Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage. The airplane sustained damage to the landing gear fairings, right side of the fuselage, firewall, and right wing leading edge. Additional damage was noted to the horizontal stabilator, propeller, and the right-wing fuel tank, which was breached and leaking fuel. The right-wing fuel tank was approximately half full. The left-wing fuel tank, which was undamaged, contained about 20 fluid ounces of fuel. One ounce of fuel was recovered from the firewall-mounted fuel strainer bowl. The fuel selector valve was found in the left fuel tank position. The FAA inspector's examination of the engine revealed no preimpact mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation.
Conclusion
The official source did not provide a stated probable cause for this event.