Accident Summary
On January 27, 2018, about 1615 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N9673W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while approaching Meriden Markham Municipal Airport (MMK), Meriden, Connecticut. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight Details
The flight originated at Oxford County Regional Airport (81B), Oxford, Maine, about 1330. The pilot reported performing a preflight inspection at 81B and determining that there were 36 gallons of fuel on board prior to departure. Earlier that day, the passenger had flown the airplane from MMK to 81B, reportedly departing MMK with full tanks (50 gallons). The airplane was not refueled at 81B. The pilot's flight planning indicated that he would land with 6 gallons of fuel on board for the return flight.
Just prior to passing Worcester, Massachusetts, while operating on the right tank, the fuel gauge began to flicker, then the engine faltered. The pilot intentionally exhausted the right tank fuel supply to maximize available fuel, then switched to the left tank and continued. Approaching the Hartford, Connecticut area, the passenger suggested stopping for fuel, but the pilot was confident in his fuel calculations and chose to continue to avoid higher fuel prices. About 2.5 miles north of MMK, the fuel pressure gauge faltered and the engine subsequently lost power. The pilot looked for a landing site and chose a nearby pond. During the forced landing attempt, the airplane collided with a fence and came to a stop on dry land.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage. The airplane came to rest on an embankment after colliding with a chain link fence. Both wings and the lower forward fuselage were structurally damaged; the nose gear snapped off. The left and right wing fuel tanks were not compromised. When the airplane was moved to a level position, no visible fuel was observed in either tank. During recovery, about half a gallon of fuel was recovered from both tanks combined. No fuel stains were found on the exterior surfaces.
The pilot reported on the NTSB Form 6120.1 that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure prior to the accident. In subsequent correspondence, the pilot noted a gascolator leak found on November 17, 2017, when the gasket had slipped out of place. The pilot reassembled the unit and flew at least 10 hours without observed leaks before the accident flight. On March 26, 2018, the gascolator was removed and examined by an NTSB investigator; it was intact with no evidence of obstructions, leaks, or fuel staining.