Accident Summary
On November 8, 2020, at approximately 1430 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, registration N33DW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Circleville, Ohio. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
The pilot departed Fairfield County Airport (LHQ) in Lancaster, Ohio, at 1330 with full fuel tanks containing about 84 gallons distributed across four fuel tanks. He conducted several instrument procedures and approaches before landing at Pickaway County Memorial Airport (CYO) in Circleville, Ohio. At 1430, the pilot departed CYO. Shortly after retracting the flaps, the engine ceased producing power. Unable to restore engine power and too low to return to the airport, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field.
Damage and Inspection
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing spars. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a visual inspection and found fuel in the tanks. Fuel samples were sumped and showed no evidence of water or other contamination. Examination of the engine revealed that the accessory drive gear was disconnected from the crankshaft, and no movement from the accessories was observed when the engine was rotated.
Fuel Selector Examination
The fuel selector was removed and examined. Several discrepancies were found, but none could be directly linked to the loss of engine power.
Post-Release Information
After the wreckage was released, the pilot reported that during complete disassembly of the engine, one of the accessory drive gears had backed out and was binding the other gears in the accessory case. This information could not be confirmed via statements from maintenance personnel or photographs.