IAD97LA029

The pilot reported that he had departed Elyria with 12 to 13 gallons of fuel in each of the outboard tanks and 25 gallons in each of the inboard tanks. He did not refuel at Carrollton prior to the return flight to Elyria. Upon his arrival back at the original airport, the pilot entered the traffic pattern and noticed the manifold pressure on the left engine was higher than on the right engine. He stated that he was distracted by sun glare and executed a go-around. After extending out from the departure end of the runway, the pilot executed 180-degree turn to land on the runway in the opposite direction. The left engine began to run rough as the pilot aligned the airplane for landing. The pilot reported that the airplane's airspeed dropped below Vmc as he looked for the runway. The pilot could not remember anything else prior to impacting the terrain. Examination of the wreckage revealed the following fuel quantities: left inboard - no visible fuel, left outboard - 1 inch of fuel on stick placed in tank, right inboard - 2 inches below full, and right outboard - 1 inch below full. The pilot reported that he had remained on the inboard tanks during the entire trip.

On December 7, 1996, approximately 1630 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-23-250, N4911P, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground while on final approach to the Elyria Airport, Elyria, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot/owner reported that he flew from Elyria Airport to Carroll County-Tolson Airport, Carrollton, Ohio, and was on the return flight to Elyria. The pilot estimated that he started with approximately 65 gallons of fuel onboard. The left and right outboard tanks contained 12-13 gallons each, and the left and right inboards contained 25 gallons each. He calculated total fuel used for the 1 hour and 15 minute round trip flight at approximately 30 gallons, based upon fuel consumption for each engine at 12.5 gallons per hour. The pilot stated that he did not refuel at Carroll County-Tolson Airport, and he utilized the fuel from the inboard tanks only.

The pilot reported that his flights to and from Carroll County-Tolson airport were normal with no mechanical problems. He entered the traffic pattern at Elyria Airport and configured the airplane for landing. He noticed on final approach that the manifold pressure on the left engine was higher than the manifold pressure on the right engine. The pilot reported that he did not establish a stable approach because of glare from the sun and the distraction of the unusual manifold pressure. The pilot reported that when he executed a go around, both engines were operating normally. He stated that he made a "slight correction to align (the airplane) with the runway, and during that interval, the airplane's airspeed deteriorated, the sink rate increased, and it became apparent to him that recovery could not be made." The airplane continued to descend and impacted a plowed field in a wings level attitude. The airplane struck a tree stump, continued through a fence, and came to rest in an upright position.

A State Trooper reported that he did not observe any fuel leaking or the odor of fuel after the accident.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector conducted an examination of the wreckage. The examination confirmed flight control continuity and that the fuel tanks had maintained their integrity. The FAA Inspector found fuel in all tanks except the left inboard wing tank. The left engine propellers appeared feathered (high pitch/low rpm), but examination of the propeller governor verified the propellers in the low pitch/high rpm mode.

The FAA Inspector interviewed the pilot a few days after the accident. The pilot reported that when the left engine began running rough, he looked outside for the runway, and the next thing he noticed was the airplane's airspeed deteriorated below minimum control speed (Vmc). The pilot stated that was the last thing he remembered prior to ground impact.