The pilot reported that he departed from Fremont Airport (14G) in Ohio in the Piper PA-28-140. He performed a touch-and-go landing at Fostoria Metro Airport (KFZI) and was planning a touch-and-go landing at Sandusky County Regional Airport (S24) before returning to 14G, his home airport.
After an uneventful touch-and-go at S24, during the initial climb, the engine lost all power.
He performed a forced landing into a cornfield about ½ mile northeast of S24.
The pilot was met by first responders and was taken to a nearby hospital for his serious injuries.
The pilot later reported that he was unsure why the engine stopped, but stated, “…could be a failure to switch tanks.”
FAA inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage.
The fuselage came to rest upright and there was no fire. The right wing separated from the fuselage during the accident and was found inverted and adjacent to the main wreckage, with the right main landing gear still attached. The fuselage was buckled.
The engine remained attached to the fuselage and the propeller remained attached to the engine. The left wing was undamaged.
Although the right wing fuel tank was ruptured in the crash, about seven gallons of fuel were recovered from that tank. The left wing fuel tank was intact and undamaged. When it was drained at the accident site by the inspectors, about one quart of fuel was recovered. The cockpit fuel tank selector was in the left tank position.
According to the FAA inspectors, the airplane was last fueled with 18.8 gallons on March 30, 2023. According to aircraft and pilot records, the airplane was operated about 3.97 hours since the last refueling before the accident on May 6, 2023.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.
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This May 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Another jackass trying to be a horse !!!
The plane had 4 hours on the clock since fueling. He flew for 20-25 minutes and ran the tank dry and had a little left in the right tank. Must have had the long range tanks. Even if he had switched tanks he probably would have just postponed the accident. Doubtful he would have made it home. He was doomed when he took off because he didn’t check and left the fuel in the truck.
DYNON……….EFAS……..She tells me when to switch tanks which I have programed for every 15 minutes and there is also a yellow flashing announcement (switch fuel tanks) which I have to acknowledge to stop the flashing……Shucks, I still have to physically switch the selector and monitor the fuel supply.
Engine suddenly stops in mid-flight; you immediately switch tanks and hit the boost pump switch. Do flight instructors not teach that any longer?
…….Keeps happening over and over again….???
Glad the pilot is okay and no one on the ground was injured…..ANOTHER BLACK EYE FOR G/A
Sad!!!
What comes to mind….’another one bites the dust ‘ [ Queen ].
A low time pilot forgets to switch tanks, and destroys an aircraft….and another bump up in insurance rates.
Glad to hear the pilot is ok…maybe take up boating..?