N16253Piper PA-32-300

On November 17, 2023, about 1524 central standard time, a Piper PA32-300 airplane, N16253, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ozark, Missouri. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The pilot reported the airplane’s four fuel tanks were full after refueling before departing the Quincy Regional Airport–Baldwin Field (UIN), Quincy, Illinois. The airplane departed and flew a total of 30 minutes on the left tank, 30 minutes on the left tip tank, and about 20 to 25 minutes on the right tip tank, when the engine sustained a total loss of power. The pilot switched to the right main tank and attempted to restart the engine. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the approach to landing, the airplane collided with a power line, and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed that adequate fuel was found in all the fuel lines and fuel tanks except for the left tip tank, which was breached. The fuel selector operated normally, and the selector tank position detents were identified while rotating the selector.

A postaccident examination of the engine did not find any mechanical anomalies. Residual fuel found in the fuel servo tested negative for water. When functionally tested, the magnetos would not produce spark, as water was noted in the magnetos. Since the accident occurred, the wreckage had been stored outside.