Primary finding
Probable cause
loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and the lack of suitable landing areas.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was in a descent from 5,000 feet to 3,000 feet when the engine lost power. He tried to switch tanks, but he was mainly concentrating on maintaining sight with a nearby airport. The airplane landed 400 yards short of the runway in trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks had been ruptured and empty, and that nearby foliage was turning brown and dying. Examination of the engine failed to reveal a reason why the engine could not develop power.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 22, 1996, about 2115 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3868W, struck trees during a forced landing in Coatsville, Pennsylvania. The airplane received substantial damage, and the private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the flight which had departed from York, Pennsylvania, about 2045, was operated on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...flight was uneventful until power was lost while descending from 5000 to 3000 on V474 in the vicinity of Costive, PA. At initial loss of power Chester County airport was located visually, and IFR cancellation was requested and granted. Attempt to reach 40N fell short by approx. 400 yards. Reconfiguration of fuel tanks was attempted during descent, but primary attention remained on maintaining visual contact with 40N. Wings separated upon contact with trees, and fuselage came to rest on wooded hillside adjacent (sw) to runway 29 at 40N...." In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated that there were about 74 gallons onboard at departure from York. The insurance adjuster reported that he visited the accident site a few days after the accident, and that the fuel tanks had been ruptured and were empty. The foliage in the immediate vicinity of the accident site was turned brown and dying. Further examination of the engine failed to find a reason why the engine would not develop power. The FAA reported that the airplane settled into trees about 400 yards short of and 200 yards left of the extended centerline of runway 29. -