What happened
During a flight near the airport, a Piper PA-46-310P experienced a partial loss of engine power. The pilot notified air traffic control of the power deficiency while the aircraft was positioned approximately two miles east of the airfield, maintaining an altitude of 3,500 feet MSL on a southwesterly heading. In response to the emergency, controllers provided radar vectors, instructing the pilot to execute a 150-degree turn to align with runway 33.
However, the aircraft did not follow the instructed heading and maintained its original southwesterly course. During the descent, the aircraft bypassed the approach ends of two different runways. The flight continued westward until the aircraft struck a telephone pole and crashed approximately 2.5 miles west of the airport.
Records indicate the pilot departed with 300 pounds of fuel, which is roughly 50 gallons. Given that the aircraft's operating handbook specifies a fuel consumption rate of approximately 16 gallons per hour and the flight lasted about one hour, sufficient fuel should have been available. Post-accident investigations found no traces of fuel within the aircraft's fuel system, nor was any fuel spillage detected from the wings.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered a partial loss of engine power during the flight.
- The pilot failed to follow the assigned radar vectors for the approach.
- There was no evidence of fuel exhaustion or leakage from the wing tanks.