Primary finding
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff and following landing gear retraction, he noticed a “hiccup” in engine power and immediately started a turn back toward the airport. During the turn, the engine lost total power and the pilot performed a forced landing into a field of standing corn, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. A post-accident examination of the engine, accessories, fuel pump, fuel control unit, flow divider valve, and fuel-oil heat exchanger revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 2, 2020, about 1512 central daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N62ZM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The airline transport pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff and following landing gear retraction, he noticed a “hiccup” in engine power and immediately started a turn back toward the airport. During the turn, engine power was lost and the pilot performed a forced landing into a field of standing corn. The airplane impacted terrain, bounced, and came to rest upright in the corn about ½ mile northwest of the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing as a result of the impact and post-crash fire. A post-accident examination of the engine, accessories, fuel pump, fuel control unit, flow divider valve, and fuel-oil heat exchanger revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.