Accident Overview
On August 22, 2018, about 1300 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, registration N7954W, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The accident occurred about 14 nautical miles southeast of Little Rock, Arkansas, during cruise flight. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was on a VFR flight plan. The airplane had departed North Little Rock Municipal Airport (ORK) about 1245, en route to Pine Bluff Regional Airport Grider Field (PBF).
Flight History
The pilot initially departed Marion County Regional Airport (KFLP) with full fuel (84 gallons total). After a brief flight to Baxter County Airport (KBPK) for an oil change, he flew to North Little Rock Airport (KORK), a leg of about 36 minutes. All flight legs were performed on the right main fuel tank.
Engine Power Loss
Before departing for PBF, the pilot switched to the left main fuel tank. About 10 minutes after takeoff, while at 4,500 ft mean sea level, the pilot turned off the fuel boost pump and engaged the autopilot. The engine then rolled back to what felt like idle. The pilot immediately reactivated the boost pump, but the engine did not respond. He reported a partial loss of engine power to air traffic control. The controller advised of a grass airstrip 2–3 nm east or the option to divert to Little Rock International Airport (KLIT). The pilot chose to divert to KLIT and switched the fuel selector back to the right main tank. The engine then ceased producing power entirely. After an unsuccessful restart attempt, at approximately 1,560 ft, the pilot executed a forced landing to a grass-covered field on an island in the Arkansas River. The airplane impacted rough terrain, causing substantial damage.
Post-Accident Examination
The wreckage was moved to a recovery facility. Recovery personnel removed 22 gallons of fuel from the left tank; the right tank was compromised and yielded no fuel. Examination of the fuel system found no obstructions in the lines, the fuel selector detents were normal, and the fuel pump showed no anomalies. The carburetor was half full of fuel; fuel filters were clean. Water contamination tests were negative. The engine rotated freely with continuity from the propeller to the accessory drives, compression was present in all cylinders, and the spark plugs exhibited normal wear. Both magnetos produced spark. The exhaust manifold had no preexisting anomalies. Flight control continuity was confirmed from cockpit to surfaces.
Probable Cause
The source did not state a probable cause.