Accident Overview
On April 27, 2020, at 1735 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration N772SG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Meridianville, Tennessee. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Details
During final approach to runway 36, the pilot assessed that the airplane was too high and too fast. He reduced engine power to idle and performed a forward slip to the left for approximately 5 seconds. When he applied power to reduce the descent rate, the engine did not respond. The pilot reported limited time for corrective actions, but he checked the fuel pump and cycled the throttle before executing a forced landing in a field leading to the runway. He stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the power loss, but he "may have unported the fuel uptake during the slip."
Postaccident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration inspection revealed the airplane came to rest upright in a field about 1,600 feet from the runway threshold. Both wings sustained substantial damage. During recovery, 25 gallons of fuel were drained from the right tank and 7 gallons from the left tank. The fuel selector was found positioned to the right tank. The engine was started twice and idled successfully during postaccident testing; higher power settings were not attempted due to safety concerns. No anomalies were noted with the engine.
Pilot Operating Handbook Guidance
The airplane's pilot operating handbook includes a warning about the wing fuel tank design: in certain maneuvers, fuel may move away from the tank outlet, causing temporary power loss if the outlet is uncovered. It advises avoiding prolonged slips or skids resulting in altitude loss exceeding 2,000 feet, or other radical maneuvers that could uncover the outlet, especially when the tank in use is not full.