N33DWPiper PA-32-300 · 1971

On November 8, 2020, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N33DW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Circleville, Ohio. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that at 1330, he departed Fairfield County Airport (LHQ), Lancaster, Ohio, with full fuel tanks, about 84 gallons distributed in 4 fuel tanks. The pilot flew several instrument procedures and approaches before landing at Pickaway County Memorial Airport, Circleville, Ohio (CYO). At 1430, he departed CYO and shortly after he retracted the flaps, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and, due to the low altitude, he was unable to make it back to the airport, so he performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing spars.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed a visual inspection of the airplane and found fuel in the tanks. The fuel was sumped and did not exhibit evidence of water or other contamination. An examination of the engine found that the accessory drive gear was disconnected from the crankshaft, with no movement from the accessories when the engine was rotated. The fuel selector was removed and examined. Several discrepancies were found with the fuel selector, but none that could be directly linked to a loss of engine power. After the wreckage was released, the pilot reported that when then engine was completely disassembled, one of the accessory drive gears had backed out and was binding the other gears in the accessory case. This information could not be confirmed via statement from maintenance personnel or photos.