Piper PA32RT N772SG accident near Meridianville, Alabama

Probable cause

The pilot's slip maneuver with a less than full fuel tank selected, which resulted in unporting of the fuel supply, and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during approach, the airplane was too fast and high, so he performed a slip maneuver to increase the descent rate. The pilot then added power to arrest the descent rate; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field about 1,600 ft short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Twenty-five gallons of fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank and 7 gallons of fuel was recovered from the right fuel tank. The fuel tank selector valve was positioned to the right tank.

The engine was successfully started and run at idle power following the accident and no anomalies were noted. The pilot’s operating handbook stated that certain extreme maneuvers, including slip maneuvers, could result in unporting of the fuel supply if the selected fuel tank is not full.

It is likely that the fuel unported from the right fuel tank during the slip maneuver, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20LA164 for the full record.