Accident Details
On October 30, 2022, at approximately 1358 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300 airplane, registration N349SB, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Evansville Regional Airport (EVV), Evansville, Indiana. The pilot reported serious injuries; two passengers sustained minor injuries, and one passenger was not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Report and Sequence of Events
The pilot stated that before departure, the wing fuel tanks were filled to their 94-gallon capacity, the engine oil dipstick showed 9 quarts, and the preflight inspection revealed no anomalies. After takeoff, the airplane climbed to 5,000 ft and flew uneventfully for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. During this period, the pilot made an altitude change to 7,000 ft and switched fuel tanks every 30 minutes.
Shortly after reaching 7,000 ft, the pilot felt the engine "shake" and noted abnormal indications for the No. 3 cylinder on the engine monitor. The pilot activated the fuel pump and enriched the mixture, after which the engine ran smoothly for a few minutes. The engine then momentarily surged to full power before returning to its previous setting. Recognizing the airplane could not reach its intended destination, the pilot decided to divert to EVV for an engine inspection.
Diversion and Power Loss
The pilot notified air traffic control of the need to divert due to an engine issue. During the descent, the engine appeared to operate normally. The controller cleared the pilot for the instrument landing system approach to runway 4. When the airplane descended to 2,500 ft at about 8 miles southwest of EVV, the engine lost total power. The pilot reported hearing "the unmistakable sound of three thuds" followed by power loss. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot noted that fuel pressure, fuel quantity, voltage, and amperage readings were normal. The airplane exited instrument meteorological conditions at approximately 1,100 ft, and the pilot elected to attempt a forced landing on a golf course. The landing gear and flaps were extended, and the airplane landed hard on the grass.
Postaccident Examination
The accident site examination revealed the airplane traveled about 280 ft from the initial impact point to its resting location. The airplane came to rest upright with substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the horizontal stabilizer.
During the postaccident examination, compressed air was applied to the fuel system at the firewall fitting; no obstructions were found from the fuel selector valve to each wing fuel tank. No engine oil was observed on the exterior surfaces of the airframe. The Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D engine was removed from the airframe. Examination showed impact damage to the engine mount, vacuum pump, oil filter, oil cooler, and dual magneto. The engine exhaust was partially crushed but unobstructed. Manual rotation of the propeller confirmed mechanical continuity to the rear accessory gears and cylinder valve train. Compression and suction were noted on all six cylinders, and borescope inspection of the cylinder interiors was unremarkable. Oil was observed on the exterior surfaces of the engine accessory case and rear-mounted accessories. The right oil cooler, which showed impact damage, and the oil hose connecting it to the oil pump were found loose on the pump side. Oil drained from the cylinder heads (when rocker covers were removed) and from the oil suction screen cover plug. No engine oil was observed on the engine dipstick.
Fuel was present in all fuel lines forward of the firewall, as well as in the engine fuel pump, injector servo, and flow divider. The fuel nozzles, fuel screen, and oil screen were clear of debris. The magneto was rotated with an electric drill and produced spark from all 12 ignition towers. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation was found. Data from the airplane's J.P. Instruments EDM-900 engine monitor showed no abnormalities during the flight, including at the time of the reported engine issue.