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NTSB Report

March 5, 2022 · Piper PA-28-235 · N5078M

Monee, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 2022
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Monee, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235 (1963)
Tail Number
N5078M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA135

The pilot of the personal flight planned to remain in the departure airport’s traffic pattern. During the departure climb, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot preformed a forced landing on a field, and the airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain to the engine mount. The pilot stated that he had the fuel selector positioned to the left main fuel tank for the flight. Postaccident examination revealed 16 gallons of fuel in the left main fuel tank. Minimal fuel was found in the engine carburetor bowl, and no fuel in the fuel line leading to the carburetor, which was consistent with fuel starvation to the engine. There were no mechanical anomalies identified that would have precluded normal engine operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for undetermined reasons during a departure climb that resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On March 5, 2022, about 1200 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, N5078M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monee, Illinois. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that the flight was to remain in the departure airport traffic pattern. During the departure climb, the engine lost power. He said that he checked the position of the throttle, mixture, and the magnetos. He then made a 180º turn to return to the departure airport and during the approach to the airport, he determined that the airplane was unable to make it back to the airport. He landed the airplane on a field, and the airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain to engine mount. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left tip fuel tank contained about 0.18 gallons of fuel, the left main fuel tank contained about 16 gallons of fuel, the right tip fuel tank contained no useable fuel, and the right main fuel tank contained about 6.5 gallons of fuel. The airplane battery switch was turned on, and the fuel gauge indications were as follows: left tip tank – 0 gallons, the left main tank – 5 gallons, the right tip tank – 0 gallons, the right main tank – 0 gallons. The pilot stated that he had the fuel selector on the left main fuel tank but moved it to the OFF position after the accident. The carburetor was disassembled, and the carburetor bowl contained about 0.4 inch of fuel. There was no fuel in the fuel line leading to the carburetor. No mechanical anomalies were identified during the postaccident examination that would have precluded normal engine operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CST
Nearest AirportBult Field Airport (0.5nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN5078M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 13 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.91 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data