Piper PA22 N7337D accident near Furlow, Arkansas

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported the takeoff and initial climb into the traffic pattern were uneventful. However, the engine began to run rough while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot immediately changed the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, verified that the carburetor heat was on, and turned the airplane toward the runway. The pilot’s efforts to restore engine power were not successful. The airplane was not able to glide to the runway, and the pilot executed a forced landing into a wooded area.

Postaccident examination revealed that the left fuel tank was intact and the right fuel tank appeared to be compromised. A distinct fuel odor was present at the accident site and fuel was observed leaking from the left tank. The engine carburetor bowl contained minimal fuel, and the carburetor accelerator pump did not contain any fuel. No other anomalies with respect to the engine were observed. The pilot recalled that the left and right fuel tanks contained about 4 gallons and 7 gallons, respectively, before takeoff.

While it is possible that the pilot’s decision to change to the tank containing less fuel resulted in unporting of the fuel tank inlet and the subsequent loss of engine power, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the loss of power or the initial engine roughness.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA121 for the full record.