20000603014579A

(-23) When banking a/c in the base leg of short final to Clinton muni airport the engine quit. Pilot switched fuel tanks but the engine would not restart. Attempted to land in a field short and right of the runway. A/c bounced once then on second impact the nose gear collapsed. (.4) on June 3, 2000, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N3869W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at the Clinton Municipal Airport, near Clinton, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Clinton Municipal Airport. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane's engine lost total power as the pilot was maneuvering the airplane on final approach to runway 17. During the ensuing forced landing the airplane contacted a dirt terrace and came to a stop upright. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop upright. Following the accident, the pilot reported that "he was not sure if the fuel selector was in the detent for the selected tank and he did not have time to check prior to landing." The FAA inspector reported that the engine firewall was structurally damaged, and both wings were comprised at their respective attaching points to the fuselage. There was also damage to the "structure at the main landing gear attach points". This damage was initailly reported to the NTSB as minor. Subsequently, on October 3, 2000, the damage was reported as substantial. Additionally, multiple attempts to obtain a completed NTSB form 6120.1/2, pilot/operator aircraft accident report, from the pilot/owner were unseuccessful