20200718010959A

On Saturday, July 18, 2020, at approximately 1632 EDT, a Piper pacer PA22-150 aircraft, registration number N4816A, was involved in an accident when it crashed into a neighborhood in Loveland Ohio. The aircraft was in contact with cincinnati lunken tower and was cleared for a straight in visual approach for runway 21. The pilot contacted lunken tower and informed them he was having engine difficulty but did not declare an emergency. Soon after that transmission the pilot radioed mayday with an engine failure. The pilot elected to attempt a landing at a local golf course but determined he would not be able to make it. Instead he picked a neighborhood and landed the aircraft on the street. During the landing the aircraft struck multiple mailboxes and one light post coming to rest in a front yard. The sole occupant, the pilot-in-command, sustained no injuries. The aircraft suffered considerable damage to the wings, tail section and center section.

At the time of the accident, the observed weather at lunken airport (kluk) was as indicated by ATIS. Winds were at 230 degrees at 6 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, with scattered clouds at 5500? And 7500?, broken clouds at 9000?. The temperature was 31 degrees celsius, a dew point of 21HPA with a barometric pressure of 30.04 inches hg (mercury).

The aircraft is a 1956 Piper pacer PA-22-150 aircraft, registration n-number N4816A. The aircraft is a fixed wing, single engine aircraft with four installed seats. The aircraft has been issued a standard airworthiness certificate in the normal category. The aircraft is currently registered to the pilot flying the aircraft.

The pilot of the aircraft holds a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and rotorcraft ratings. He was issued a first class medical on 03/09/2016, valid for third class privileges until 03/31/2021.

During the interview of the pilot he stated when he fueled the aircraft at wadsworth municipal airport (3G3) he put 7.5 gallons on each side and was planning for a seven to eight gallon burn. According to his calculations this would give him enough fuel to get to lunken. He did not dip the tank prior to fueling and stated the gauges read about 1/4 tank on each side. He stated he based the fuel quantity off of the fuel gauges. The pilot also stated he attempted to restart the aircraft when the engine quit. He also stated he did not remember moving the fuel selector to the other tank. He was not sure what tank he was on when the engine failed.

Our post accident investigation revealed there was around six ounces of fuel in the left wing and five gallons in the right wing. The left wing fuel gauge showed a reading of 1/4 to 1/2. And the right showed empty. All engine controls to the engine carburetor were connected and moved through the proper ranges. The carburetor heat also was connected and moved through its normal range. The fuel selector was in the off position. This was due to his emergency shutdown procedure. The engine also started with out any issue while in storage.

Reviewed by dws 07/30/2020