Incident Overview
On September 1, 2023, at approximately 2038 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, registration N6868D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cincinnati, Ohio. The pilot received minor injuries, and the three passengers were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight and Engine Failure
The pilot departed Cincinnati Municipal Airport/Lunken Field (LUK) around 2010 for a local flight with friends. During cruise at 4,500 feet mean sea level, the engine began to sputter, and the pilot detected a smell of burning and avgas. She decided to return to LUK. The pilot contacted the LUK tower when approximately 10 miles from the airport, reporting engine trouble. About 5 miles from the airport, she informed the tower that she had experienced a complete engine failure and was heading toward the river for a forced landing. She later reported that she could not reach the river and would land in trees approximately 5 miles from the airport. The pilot secured the engine, and the airplane collided with trees, coming to rest on its tail section. The empennage, tail section, and wings sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Troubleshooting
After the engine sputtered, the pilot switched fuel tanks in an attempt to resolve the issue. She moved from the right tip tank to the left main tank, then to the right main tank, and subsequently to the left tip tank.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted. Compression was established in each cylinder, and continuity to the accessory drive section was verified, as the magnetos' impulse couplings were heard when the propeller was rotated by hand. The spark plug wires appeared new and in good condition. The fuel flow divider and injectors showed no signs of fuel leakage. The propeller blades were straight and undamaged, while the spinner dome had impact damage on one side. No oil leakage was observed around the engine. The examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.