NYC07LA144

As the airplane turned base leg for the runway, about 650 feet above ground level (agl), the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank, and activated the fuel boost pump; however, the engine did not restart. He subsequently performed a forced landing in a field just prior to the runway. The fuel injected engine had accumulated 208 total hours of operation, and approximately 10 hours of operation since the airplane's last annual inspection. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The left and right wing fuel tanks remained intact, and approximately 10 gallons of fuel remained in both tanks. The wreckage was subsequently shipped to a repair facility, where a test run of the engine was performed. During the test run, the engine started on the first attempt, and ran continuously without hesitation.

On June 18, 2007, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Beech T-34A, N55192, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field, after experiencing a total loss of engine power while on approach to Laurinburg-Maxton Airport (MEB), Maxton, North Carolina. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that the airplane turned base leg for runway 5, and was about 650 to 700 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot did not hear any unusual noises from the engine, and without warning, it lost all power. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank, and activated the fuel boost pump; however, the engine did not restart. He subsequently landed in a field just prior to the runway. During the landing, the nose and right main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The pilot further stated that the fuel injected engine had accumulated 208 total hours of operation, and approximately 10 hours of operation since the airplane's last annual inspection. The pilot estimated that there were 9 gallons of fuel in each wing tank, for a total of 18 gallons, when the power loss occurred.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The inspector noted that the left and right wing fuel tanks remained intact, and approximately 20 total gallons of fuel remained, with about 10 gallons in each wing fuel tank.

The pilot subsequently shipped the wreckage to a repair facility in Indiana, where a test run of the engine was performed. During the test run, the engine started on the first attempt, and ran continuously without hesitation.

The reported weather at the airport, at 1252, was: wind from 270 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 34 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury.