Accident Overview
On May 29, 2021, at approximately 1247 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24, registration N6334P, was substantially damaged when it struck a berm and fence posts short of the runway at Bear Lake County Airport (1U7) near Paris, Idaho. The pilot and a passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight History
The flight departed from South Valley Regional Airport (U42) in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 1122, bound for Jackson Hole Airport (KJAC) in Jackson, Wyoming. The pilot reported that the fuel tanks were topped off before departure. Preflight, engine start, run-up, and departure were normal. During the flight, the pilot navigated around Class B airspace and contacted Salt Lake Center near the Primary Childrens Medical Center Heliport (UT08) to request flight following and activate a previously filed flight plan. He climbed to the planned altitude of 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl). Due to turbulence, the pilot briefly climbed to 11,500 ft msl before descending back to 9,500 ft msl. The flight was uneventful with all engine gauges showing normal indications, including oil pressure and temperature.
While passing Bear Lake County Airport (1U7), the engine oil temperature gauge began indicating excessively high, though oil pressure remained in the green. The pilot decided to divert to 1U7 for an engine inspection. Approximately halfway through a turn toward the airport, about 3 nautical miles away, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot reported an immediate drop in RPM and oil pressure, with no preceding engine surging. The propeller continued to rotate, but the engine would not engage.
Emergency Landing
The pilot pulled back on the yoke and trimmed for best glide airspeed, estimated at 75 knots. He made several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine. The pilot did not recall when he lowered the landing gear but waited until comfortable as part of his final landing checklist. He did not lower the flaps or activate carburetor heat. At about 500 feet above ground level, he realized the airplane would not reach the runway. During touchdown, the airplane impacted a berm and fence posts, coming to rest approximately 100 feet short of the runway. The right wing sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and mechanical continuity was established throughout the rotating group, valve train, and accessory gear section. Cylinders inspected with a lighted borescope showed no anomalies. The magnetos produced spark when rotated manually. The fuel pump was intact, air induction lines were unobstructed, and the carburetor disassembly revealed no anomalies.