FTW94LA275

While VFR en route, the weather at the destination 30 miles away deteriorated to IFR. The pilot attempted to deviate around the weather. Now low on fuel, the pilot continued on toward the airport in lowering ceilings at 700 feet AGL. The engine lost power and a forced landing was made 3.5 miles from the airport. During the landing flare/touchdown the right wing struck fence post and damage occurred to the right wing skin, wing ribs, and right flap. The investigation revealed that only unusable fuel remained in both fuel tanks.

On August 20, 1994, at 1245 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N41472, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Russellville, Arkansas. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions en route deteriorated to instrument meteorological conditions.

The pilot reported that flight deviations to avoid clouds were started when the airplane was about 30 miles from destination and that the weather continued to worsen. A descent was made to 700 feet above the ground at about 3.5 miles from the airport. A total loss of engine power occurred and the pilot initiated an emergency descent. During the landing flare/touchdown the right wing of the airplane struck several metal fence posts. The airplane came to rest upright in a field.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and drained fuel from the right fuel tank sump for 45 seconds and the left fuel tank sump for 1 minute and 15 seconds. The inspector said the amount was unusable fuel. Damage was observed to the right wing ribs, wing skin, and flap.