Accident Overview
On December 29, 2022, about 1329 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-260, registration N9026P, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Athens, Georgia. The pilot, who reported minor injuries, and an uninjured passenger were on board. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight History
The airplane had been operated for about 30 minutes with a prolonged run-up following the replacement of a magneto, and a brief test flight was performed to verify no issues. During preflight, the pilot reported sampling fuel from the tanks without finding water. Departing Athens/Ben Epps Airport (AHN) at approximately 1322 with 36 gallons of fuel on an instrument flight rules flight plan, the pilot leveled at 3,000 feet mean sea level. Shortly after adjusting engine power settings and disengaging the electrical fuel pump, the engine “seemed to power down, like the engine went to idle.” The pilot established best glide speed, reactivated the fuel pump, switched fuel tanks, and checked mixture, ignition, and the master switch, but could not restore power. Declaring an emergency, he turned back toward AHN. When less than a mile from the runway, he realized the aircraft would not reach the airport and prepared to land in a field beyond some trees. However, the airplane pitched up and stalled over the trees, then descended through them to the ground.
Wreckage and Engine Examination
Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the wreckage came to rest inverted in trees. The wings, fuselage, and empennage were substantially damaged; no fire occurred. Fuel was observed leaking from the right wing at the site, and fuel was drained from the left wing during recovery. Postaccident engine examination found continuity of the crankshaft to rear accessory gears and valvetrain, with suction and compression on all six cylinders and no anomalies via borescope. The left magneto ground strap was not connected to the magneto, and its hardware was missing. Debris was present in the fuel servo filter, and water was observed in fuel samples and the gascolator bowl. The electrical fuel pump would not operate during a field test with DC power and did not rotate by hand; disassembly revealed rust at and around the shaft bearing.
Additional Findings
Data extracted from an engine data monitor showed a loss of fuel pressure followed by a loss of engine rpm approximately two minutes after takeoff. Maintenance records indicated that the right magneto was removed and a new one installed on the day of the accident.