Accident Overview
On April 29, 2021, at about 1052 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, registration N271SG, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Okeechobee, Florida. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the student pilot received minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Details
According to the private pilot, the cross-country flight was intended for both pilots to build flight time. Shortly after departing on the second leg, while at an altitude of about 5,500 ft mean sea level, the engine began running rough. The private pilot applied carburetor heat, but the engine continued to lose power, followed by a sudden drop in rpm. She noticed a decrease in fuel pressure and activated the fuel pump, but engine power was not restored. When the airplane descended to about 2,000 ft msl, the student pilot—who had previous forced landing experience—took control and landed in a field.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the airplane came to rest in a muddy ditch. Substantial damage occurred to the fuselage, and the engine air box, exhaust, and nose gear assembly were displaced upward into the engine compartment.
Fuel was present throughout the fuel system, carburetor, and fuel filters; the fuel was free of water and debris. The fuel gauges indicated 12 gallons in each wing tank. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls functioned normally. The fuel selector was positioned for the left wing tank and operated correctly. All flight control cables were continuous from the cockpit to the control surfaces, and manual manipulation of the aileron, stabilator, and rudder cables moved their respective surfaces.
Engine Examination
A detailed examination of the engine found no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or anomalies. The engine was subsequently test-run and performed normally through all power settings. Disassembly of the carburetor revealed no contamination inside the bowl.