Accident Details
On February 14, 2022, about 1640 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, registration N7337D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Furlow, Arkansas. The pilot was seriously injured. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that before takeoff, the left fuel tank contained about 4 gallons of fuel and the right tank about 7 gallons. The takeoff and initial climb were uneventful. While on the downwind leg, abeam the approach end of the runway, the engine began to run rough. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the right to the left tank, verified carburetor heat was on, and turned toward the runway. The engine then lost power completely. The airplane could not glide to the runway, so the pilot executed a forced landing into a wooded area. This resulted in damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident airframe examination showed the left fuel tank was intact, while the right fuel tank appeared compromised. First responders noted a strong odor consistent with fuel. The engine examination found that the carburetor bowl contained minimal fuel, the accelerator pump was functional but contained no fuel, and the fuel inlet screen was clean. No other engine anomalies were observed.
Previous Engine Issues
The pilot noted that on two occasions before the most recent annual inspection, the engine ran "very badly" for about 30 seconds and then cleared up. The accident occurred on the pilot's first flight after the inspection. During the inspection, loose muffler baffles were found and a new muffler was installed. Examination of the new muffler revealed no anomalies.