Accident Overview
On November 19, 2021, at 1204 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N2305T, was substantially damaged in an accident at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport (GFL) in Glens Falls, New York. The pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Sequence
According to the pilot, the preflight inspection, engine start, engine run-up, and takeoff were all normal. After liftoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear. During the initial climb, at about 500 feet above ground level, the engine power "rolled back" but the propeller continued to windmill. The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and began a gradual turn back toward the runway. The airplane subsequently landed on the grass and struck the airport's perimeter fence, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
Engine and Fuel System Examination
Data downloaded from the onboard engine monitor revealed that fuel flow fluctuated before it dropped to zero. An examination of the fuel-injected engine and the airplane's fuel system, supervised by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.