N56793Piper PA-32-260 · 1973

On March 29, 2023, about 1915 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N56793, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lincoln, Illinois. The private pilot and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Before the local area flight, the pilot “completely filled” all four fuel tanks with 100 low lead fuel. The purpose of the flight was to conduct instrument flight training in visual meteorological conditions with the flight instructor. A review of automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast data showed that the airplane departed from the Logan County Airport (AAA), Lincoln, Illinois, about 1823. The airplane departed to the east of the airport, where it performed the training. Once the training was completed, the airplane flew back to the airport, where the private pilot, now acting as the pilot-in-command, performed takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern.

The pilot reported that he activated the carburetor heat before turning onto final approach for runway 3. While on final approach, the pilot attempted to add power, and the engine did not respond. The airplane continued to descend, and the pilot had no further recollection after that point. The flight instructor, who was a passenger at the time, confirmed the total loss of engine power and reported that the pilot performed a forced landing. The airplane impacted a church parking lot and came to rest upright against a garden structure.

The airplane came to rest about 1/2 mile to the southwest of the approach end for runway 3. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Both wing fuel tanks were breached from the accident sequence, no fuel was able to be recovered, and the fuel amount onboard at the time of the accident could not be determined.

At the accident site, the fuel tank selector was found positioned between the left tip tank and the left main tank positions. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of meteorological data showed that the airplane was likely operating in an area conducive to the formation of carburetor icing (for glide and cruise power) and serious carburetor icing (for glide power).