During A Climb After Takeoff, The Engine Lost Power

Location: Monee, IL Accident Number: CEN22LA135
Date & Time: March 5, 2022, 12:00 Local Registration: N5078M
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-235 Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

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 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 a climb after takeoff, the engine lost power. He said that he checked the throttle, mixture, and the magnetos. He then made a 180° turn to return to the departure airport and during the approach to the airport, he determined that the airplane was unable to attain the airport. He landed the airplane on a field, and on impact the airplane sustained substantial damage to the motormount.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left tip fuel tank contained about 23 ounces of fuel, the left main fuel tank level was about 4 inches, the right tip fuel tank contained no useable fuel, and the right main fuel tank contained about 1 inch of fuel. The airplane battery switch was turned on, and the fuel gauge indications were: left tip tank – 0 gallons, the left main tank – 5 gallons, the right tip tank – 0 gallons, the right main tank – 0 gallons.

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. There were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov