20201106016609A

On 11/6/2020 at approximately 0145Z (2045 local), a Piper PA-28-140, N9993W, sustained substantial damage after experiencing a loss of engine power and executing a forced landing in a corn field located at 6346 w. fenwick road, Greenville, MI. The location was approximately 2.6NM on a 076.5° heading from Greenville Municipal Airport (6D6).

The aircraft was piloted by a commercial pilot, with airplane single engine land and instrument ratings. The pilot and two passengers did not sustain any injuries.

The pilot stated he added 11.4 gallons of fuel to the airplane so each tank had 15 gallons. He stated he used a dip tube to determine the amount of fuel. He said he was in the air about 1 hour 45 minutes. He did a cross country from 6D6 to mbs, full stop and taxi back at mbs, continued to fnt and performed a full stop and taxi back and a touch and go, then enroute back to 6D6. He stated he did a low pass, about 500?, over the airport to check for deer. As he was in a ?cruise climb? To the right, he stated the engine lost power and he felt the deceleration. At 1000? He stated he realized he couldn?t make the airport so he continued a right turn and found the field to land in.

He said he was using the right tank and had switched tanks twice during the flight. He was asked about using the fuel quantity gauges to verify fuel level and stated he doesn?t look at them because they are only accurate when empty. He stated he does his planning and keeps track of fuel burn on paper. He stated when he landed there should be 7 gallons in each tank.

In a follow up email, the pilot stated he switched from the left tank to the right at 7:54, from right to left at 8:25, then before entering the pattern switched back to right to be on fullest tank (departure from 6D6 was at 6:54, accident occurred at 8:55. All times are pm and local)

The airframe fuel strainer bowl was found loose, with the safety wire intact. The bowl was not seated in the strainer housing and the thumbwheel on the bail wire was loose. The strainer was removed to inspect condition. No fuel was found in the strainer bowl. A damaged cork gasket was found with a clear, sticky substance on the gasket and the bowl lip.

The fuel selector was rotated clockwise through ?left tank?, ?right tank?, ?off?, and back to ?off?. The selector was difficult to rotate (stiff) and the detents at each position were not pronounced. The selector valve was removed and inspected. The valve rotation was stiff and the detents for the valve position were not readily perceptible. Air pressure was applied to the left and right ports while the valve was being rotated. Air flow through the valve indicated the valve was functioning, although between the left and right positions, there was a small area where air pressure was noted at both the left and right ports. The fuel selector valve was disassembled for internal inspection. The selector became easier to turn when the packing nut was loosened about ½ - ¾ turn. The valve exhibited rotational scoring in the valve body and on the plug cock. The plug cock also was discolored and had contaminant buildup. The detents on the plug cock were worn.

The carburetor bowl drain plug was removed to observe the fuel quantity and quality. Approximately one tablespoon of 100LL avgas was observed.

With the aircraft level, the fuel tanks were checked for quantity. No fuel was observed in the left wing. Draining the tank at the quick drain resulted in the collection of one pint of a blue liquid consistent with 100LL avgas. Fuel was observed in the right wing. Draining the tank at the quick drain resulted in collecting approximately 12 gallons of 100LL avgas.

The left and right fuel tanks were removed to access the fuel quantity sending units. The sending units were removed from the tanks.