Piper PA-28-140 N9993W accident near Greenville, Michigan

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a low approach over the airport, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the personal flight said he completed a night cross-country flight to two airports and returned for landing to the departure airport. During approach to the departure airport, he overflew the airport at low-level to check for deer on the runway for intended landing. During a right turn for the landing approach, the engine lost power and a subsequent engine restart attempt was unsuccessful. He stated that he could still hear some engine noise and tried to use the throttle to pump fuel. He stated there was a slight rise in engine speed when he first pumped the throttle. He was unable to regain engine power then performed a forced landing during which the airplane sustained substantial damage.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed about 1 pint of fuel in the left fuel tank and about 12 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. There was about 1 tablespoon of fuel in the carburetor and no fuel in the gascolator bowl.

The loss of engine power during the right turn, with the right wing in a low attitude, most likely occurred due to unporting of any residual fuel in the left fuel tank, which did not have useable fuel remaining. Also, when some engine power was regained during the pumping of the throttle, it was indicative of only residual fuel available from the carburetor. Though the pilot stated he selected the left fuel tank about 30 minutes prior to accident, a positive selection would have supplied usable fuel to the engine and a loss of engine power likely would not have occurred.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA048 for the full record.