CHI95LA019

Twenty two miles from the cross country destination the pilot reported to ATC that he might have a fuel problem before reaching the destination. During the landing approach the engine quit and a forced landing was made in a wooded swampy area. Post accident inspection revealed one gallon of fuel remained in the left fuel tank. The right tank was ruptured. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank.

On October 23, 1994, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-180, N6464J, operated by N6464J Ltd., collided with trees and swampy terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The loss of power occurred while on approach to the Houghton County Memorial Airport, Houghton, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and three passengers on board were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight originated from Greenville, Michigan, on October 23, 1994, at 1000 eastern daylight time.

The pilot reported he filed an IFR flight plan for the flight to Houghton, Michigan, with an intended route of Greenville, White Cloud, Green Bay, Iron Mountain, and Houghton. He stated he flew the portion to Iron Mountain above the clouds and that this portion of the trip was uneventful. He stated that after crossing Iron Mountain, he encountered a bank of clouds along with rain and snow showers.

At 1302 edt, Minneapolis (MSP) ARTCC received the following transmission from N6464J, "Yeah do you have me on radar we got iced up and I'm back in control now." MSP ARTCC replied that N6464J was back on radar 22 miles south of the Houghton VOR. At 1302 edt, N6464J reported "Yeah I'm indicating uh twenty-two point two miles uh thirty-six hundred uh fuel might be a problem here before we get done." The pilot stated that when approximately 10 miles from the airport, he informed the ARTCC that he could make the airport. At 1316, N6464J cancelled IFR and was instructed to squawk 1200.

The pilot stated that after crossing the outer marker on the approach to Houghton and getting established on the glideslope a gust of wind lifted the left wing. After leveling off and proceeding inbound at an altitude of 2,000 feet msl (900 feet agl) the engine stopped. The pilot stated he attempted to maintain 85 mph and realized he was not going to make it to the airport. The airplane contacted trees and came to rest in a wooded area 3/4 of a mile south of the airport.

A pilot rated passenger stated that after crossing Iron Mountain and breaking out of the clouds around Lanse, they discovered they were approximately 5 miles west of their intended course. A course correction was applied and the pilot set up for the landing approach carrying "extra altitude" in case of a problem. He stated the headwinds on the approach were very strong and as the descent continued, the pilot "found he was slightly low." The pilot attempted to add power at which time there was no response from the engine.

Post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration and an A&P mechanic. The inspection revealed one gallon of fuel remained in the left fuel tank. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. The right fuel tank was ruptured. Fuel was found in the fuel strainer and in the fuel line to the carburetor. The carburetor bowl contained fuel. The pilot rated passenger reported, "By making an intermediate stop to take on more fuel the accident probably would not have happened."