Piper PA22 N4816A accident near Loveland, Ohio

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation

NTSB analysis

Before the pilot's departure on a cross-country flight, he added 7.5 gallons of fuel to each wing fuel tank. The pilot reported that before adding fuel, both fuel gauges read ¼ tank. About an hour and half after departure, the engine lost power, had a momentary gain of power, and then lost power again. The pilot selected a road for a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane impacted several mailboxes and a light pole before coming to stop in a residential yard

Examination of the airplane found substantial damage to the left wing, damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, and right-side engine cowling. The right-wing fuel tank was then drained and about 5.5 gallons of fuel was recovered, the left-wing fuel tank did not contain any useable fuel. The left fuel gauge read about ¼ and the right fuel gauge read zero. The examination did not confirm the accuracy of the gauges or if the wires were swapped from the left and right fuel tanks. Fuel was added to right wing fuel tank, and the engine started. The engine was operated from idle, to a high power setting, with no abnormalities noted.

The pilot reported on the NTSB Form 6120.1, that he thought the reason for the engine failure was due to fuel exhaustion.

With fuel remaining in the right-wing fuel tank, the loss of engine power is consistent with fuel starvation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA290 for the full record.