ATL99LA088

The airplane lost partial power following a slow descent from 5,500 feet to 2,500 feet and did not respond to an increase in throttle position. The airplane gauges did not indicate any apparent problems and the pilot performed emergency procedures which included checks of the fuel selector valve lever, electric fuel pump switch, and fuel mixture control lever. The engine performance did not improve and the airplane had insufficient altitude to make the nearest airport. The pilot made a forced landing in a field. The airplane landed hard, separating the right main gear from the airplane and collapsing the nose gear.

On May 16, 1999, at 1838 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N414AA, collided with the ground during a forced landing approximately 1.5 miles south of the Dickson Airport, in Dickson, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot and three passengers were not injured. One passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Savannah, Tennessee, at approximately 1800.

According to the pilot, the airplane lost partial power following a slow descent from 5,500 feet to 2,500 feet. The engine did not respond to an increase in throttle position. While attempting to maintain altitude, he maneuvered the airplane for a direct course to the Dickson Airport, which was approximately three miles northwest. His review of the airplane gauges did not indicated any apparent problems. He performed emergency procedures, which included checks of the fuel selector valve lever, electric fuel pump switch, and fuel mixture control lever. With no improvement in engine performance and insufficient altitude to make the airport, he searched for a suitable landing site. The pilot attempted a short-field landing in a field. The airplane landed hard on the right main gear, separating it from the airplane. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. The pilot stated that he later realized the difficulty he had landing was due to the field being terraced.

The fuel injector servo unit was torn down and inspected by Precision Airmotive Corporation and observed by Mike Stockhill of the NTSB. No mechanical deficiencies were found and results of the fuel flow test were normal. The fuel injector servo unit was reinstalled by Liberty Aviation and the fuel flow was tested and verified to be the same as when removed. The fuel distributor was disassembled and no obstructions were found and the seat functioned normally. Additional inspections of the fuel system components by Liberty Aviation revealed that the fuel selector valve lever was in agreement with fuel valve positioning. Each of the four fuel tanks contained fuel and no contamination was found. No obstructions or debris were found in the air filter, airbox, or fuel injector servo unit strainer. Sparkplugs on the left cylinders were removed and revealed no abnormalities. The engine crankshaft turned normally and impulse coupling clicking could be heard.