Piper PA-32-300 N2032M accident near Pierz, Minnesota

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that once reaching cruising altitude, he switched the fuel selector to the right wing tip fuel tank. About 10 to 15 minutes later, the engine lost partial power. The pilot turned on the fuel pump, but he did not switch fuel tanks. The engine continued to lose power; the pilot declared an emergency and diverted to the nearest airport. Unable to reach the nearest airport, the pilot conducted a forced landing to a roadway. During the landing, the airplane veered left into the ditch to avoid oncoming motor vehicle traffic. The right wing struck a roadway sign, which resulted in substantial damage, and the airplane came to rest upright in the grass.

The pilot stated that he did not switch fuel tanks during the initial loss of engine power, and that he ran the right wing tip fuel tank dry.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA376 for the full record.