Piper PA-28-235 N7954W accident near Little Rock, Arkansas

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot and his passenger were on a multi-leg cross-country flight. The pilot reported that he departed with a total of 84 gallons of fuel in the auxiliary and main tanks and flew two flight legs that lasted a total of about 40 to 50 minutes. The fuel selector was positioned on the right fuel tank during the first two legs of flight. Before departing on the third flight leg, he switched the fuel selector to the left main fuel tank.

About 10 minutes after takeoff and after climbing to 4,500 ft above mean sea level, the pilot turned off the fuel boost pump and engaged the autopilot. He reported that the engine then rolled back to idle. He immediately turned the fuel boost pump back on but noted no difference. The pilot switched the fuel selector back to the right main tank since he had flown the previous legs on the right main tank without any problems. The engine then lost total power, and he attempted an engine restart without success. He performed a forced landing to a grassy field, during which the airplane impacted rough terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. After recovery of the airplane, 22 gallons of fuel were removed from the left fuel tank and none was removed from the right fuel tank; however, the right fuel tank was compromised from impact damage. The postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, investigators were unable to determine the reason for the loss of engine power based on the available evidence.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA347 for the full record.