N271SGPiper PA-28-161 · 2000

On April 29, 2021, about 1052 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N271SG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Okeechobee, Florida. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the private pilot, the purpose of the cross-country flight was for both pilots to build flight time. Shortly after departing on the second leg of their flight, at an altitude about 5,500 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine began running rough. The private pilot applied carburetor heat, but the engine continued to lose power, followed by a sudden drop in rpm. She noticed a drop in fuel pressure and turned on the fuel pump, but engine power was not restored. When the airplane was about 2,000 ft msl, the student pilot, who had previous experience performing a forced landing, assumed control of the airplane and landed the airplane in a field.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site, the airplane came to rest in a muddy ditch and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The engine air box, exhaust, and nose gear assembly were pushed upward into the engine compartment.

Fuel was present throughout the fuel system, carburetor, and fuel filters, and the fuel was absent of water and debris. The fuel gauges indicated that the left and right wing tanks each contained 12 gallons of fuel. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls operated normally. The fuel selector was found in the left wing tank position; the fuel selector operated normally. All flight control cables were continuous from the cockpit controls to the control surfaces. Manual manipulation of the aileron, stabilator, and rudder cables operated their respective control surfaces.

A detailed examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or anomalies. The engine was subsequently test run, during which it performed normally through all power settings. Disassembly of the carburetor found no contamination inside the bowl.