Piper PA 28R-200 N9469N accident near Mt. Vernon, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

A witness reported that the engine was "backfiring" and that it "shut off" as the airplane flew over treetops low to the ground. The pilot made a forced landing, and, during the descent, the airplane collided with trees, continued into a field, and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks or on the ground near the airplane, and no fuel was found in the fuel lines or the engine-driven fuel pump. The gascolator was half full of fuel; however, if adequate fuel had been available, it is likely that the gascolator would have been full of fuel. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not conduct an adequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the airplane departing with insufficient fuel and resulted in a loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA350 for the full record.