Accident Overview
On December 20, 2019, about 1940 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, registration N4726S, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and came to rest in remote, forested terrain near Florida, Massachusetts. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; one passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight History
The flight originated at Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), Islip, New York, with a destination of Rutland–Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT), Rutland, Vermont. The pilot reported that the preflight inspection was normal and all fuel tanks were full. After an uneventful departure, the airplane was in cruise flight at 6,500 feet approximately 1.5 hours after takeoff when the engine experienced a “major decrease in power, if not all power.” The pilot attempted a restart, which was unsuccessful. He reported the problem to air traffic control and was provided information for the closest airport, but determined he could not make it and prepared for a forced landing in mountainous terrain.
Wreckage and Examination
Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the wreckage. The airplane came to rest in a nose-low attitude against hardwood trees. Structural damage was noted to the fuselage, empennage, and wings, with the wings partially separated from the fuselage. There was no fire.
The airplane was configured with an 84-gallon fuel system, comprising main and auxiliary tanks in each wing (main tanks held 25 gallons each). All four tanks were damaged, and fuel staining was observed on the snow around the main wreckage. The cockpit fuel selector was found in the right main tank position. The right main tank was punctured but no fuel was found below the puncture hole; otherwise, the tank was not breached. Fuel lines were examined: the line from the engine firewall to the fuel pump was absent of fuel, as was the line from the fuel pump to the carburetor.
The engine was examined at a salvage storage facility. The number 1 cylinder exhibited impact damage, with the head and pushrods broken off. Lower spark plugs were removed; all plugs exhibited light wear and normal color. The number 3 plug was corroded due to being removed at the accident site and not reinstalled. The crankshaft was turned manually; compression and suction were confirmed on all cylinders except number 1 due to impact damage. Internal continuity was confirmed. Both magnetos produced spark to all leads when rotated. The mechanical fuel pump and carburetor appeared normal except for impact damage to the carburetor.
Fuel Consumption Estimate
The accident flight was about 1.5 hours in duration. According to the PA-32-260 Pilot’s Operating Handbook, the estimated fuel burn at normal (75%) power was 14 gallons per hour. Fuel consumed would have been about 21 gallons, not including extra fuel needed for engine start, taxi, magneto checks, takeoff, and climb power settings.