History of Flight
On July 19, 2019, about 1440 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA46-310P, registration N811SK, was substantially damaged during an accident near Hudson Valley Regional Airport (POU), Poughkeepsie, New York. The private pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries, and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane departed Akron-Fulton International Airport (AKR), Akron, Ohio, about 1248. It climbed to 19,000 ft and remained in cruise for about 1 hour 10 minutes on a heading between 080 and 085°. At 1428:21, the pilot requested a diversion to POU to use a restroom. The Boston air route traffic control center controller approved the diversion and issued clearances. By 1432, the airplane descended to 13,200 ft and turned toward POU.
At 1433:38, about 2 miles west of POU at 12,000 ft and 200 knots groundspeed, the pilot reported a fuel emergency light and requested expedited approach. The controller cleared the descent to 3,000 ft. The airplane crossed over POU at 11,700 ft and continued east. At 1435:37, about 5 miles east at 8,100 ft, the pilot requested a turn back. The controller advised a turn back at discretion, and at 1437:46, the pilot indicated a visual approach to runway 24. At 1438:44, about 2 miles northeast at 1,500 ft, the airplane turned toward the airport. At 1439:32, the tower controller noted the landing gear appeared retracted; the pilot responded that they were too low and would not make it. No further communications were received, and the final radar target showed 350 ft and 93 knots about 0.75 miles from the runway (elevation 163 ft).
Data from the JPI EDM-900 engine monitor revealed that fuel quantity reduction during climb was consistent with fuel flow, but after power reduction, fuel continued to decrease at the climb rate while fuel flow indicated cruise power. The left fuel tank reached zero between 1427 and 1428, and the right tank between 1437 and 1438.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest upright among trees and brush. The right wing had significant impact damage, separated at its root, and was adjacent to the fuselage. The left wing was attached and largely intact. The fuselage remained intact with crush damage to the forward section and buckling. The left windscreen was cracked but attached; the right windscreen was undamaged. The fuel selector valve and handle were in the left tank position. The wings were separated from the fuselage during recovery; fuel drains and filler caps showed no evidence of fuel leakage. Flight control continuity was confirmed.
Examination of the fuel system found no leaks in supply or return lines. The fuel selector valve operated normally. The engine-driven fuel pump was contaminated with debris and corrosion, preventing normal rotation, and its drive coupling was fractured (consistent with overstress at engine start). After replacing the pump, the engine started and ran continuously. CT scans and flow testing of the original pump revealed no leaks. The fuel strainer bowl contained about 6 oz of rust-colored water and about 1 oz of 100LL aviation gasoline.
Additional Information
According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (Chapter 17), a precautionary landing is a premeditated landing when further flight is possible but inadvisable, such as during fuel shortage. The handbook notes that precautionary landings are generally less hazardous than forced landings and advises pilots against using wishful thinking in self-inflicted predicaments.