Accident Overview
On July 21, 2023, at about 1510 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300 airplane, registration N9519C, was substantially damaged during an accident near Mount Gilead, Ohio. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported being in instrument meteorological conditions approximately 30 minutes from his destination when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He performed emergency procedures for power loss, notified air traffic control, and searched for an opening in the clouds. The controller provided vectors to the nearest suitable airport, Morrow County Airport (4I9) in Mount Gilead. The pilot visually acquired runway 28 but determined the airplane could not glide to the runway. He prepared for a landing with 10° flaps and the landing gear retracted in a soybean field. After touchdown, the airplane came to rest upright, and the pilot and passenger were met by first responders.
Examination and Findings
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site and found substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The NTSB investigator-in-charge examined the wreckage at a salvage facility. The fuel tanks were intact and uncompromised. The left fuel tank was empty, and the electronic cockpit fuel gauge also indicated zero fuel. The right wing fuel tank contained about 25 gallons of fuel, and the cockpit gauge registered about 25 gallons. Compressed air was blown through the fuel lines, and the selector operated normally with no contamination. The fuel strainer under the fuselage contained residual fuel and was free of contaminants. The engine-driven fuel pump operated normally and contained residual fuel. Internal engine continuity was verified by manually rotating the propeller; compression and suction were observed on all cylinders, and valve action was correct. The dual magneto produced spark on all leads when rotated manually. Top spark plug electrodes were normal in color and wear when compared to a Champion Check-A-Plug chart. No evidence of a mechanical malfunction or anomaly that would have prevented normal operation of the engine or airframe was found.
Pilot Statement
In a subsequent interview, the pilot stated that he exhausted the fuel supply in the left tank and failed to switch to the right tank after the loss of engine power.