Accident Details
On March 5, 2022, at about 1200 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, registration N5078M, was substantially damaged during an accident near Monee, Illinois. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Pilot Actions
The pilot stated that the flight was intended to remain in the departure airport traffic pattern. During the departure climb, the engine lost power. He checked the positions of the throttle, mixture, and magnetos, then executed a 180° turn to return to the departure airport. During the approach, he determined the airplane could not reach the airport and subsequently landed in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount upon impact with terrain.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination revealed fuel quantities as follows: left tip tank contained about 0.18 gallons; left main tank, about 16 gallons; right tip tank, no usable fuel; right main tank, about 6.5 gallons. The battery switch was on, and fuel gauge indications were: left tip tank—0 gallons; left main tank—5 gallons; right tip tank—0 gallons; right main tank—0 gallons. The pilot stated he had the fuel selector on the left main tank but moved it to OFF after the accident.
The carburetor was disassembled; the bowl contained about 0.4 inch of fuel, but there was no fuel in the fuel line leading to the carburetor. No mechanical anomalies were identified that would have precluded normal engine operation.