NTSB Factual Report

On March 24 2012, about 1753 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7309W, experienced a total loss of engine power while maneuvering near Margaret, Alabama. The private pilot subsequently made an off airport forced landing onto a nearby road. The pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight had departed from the Talladega Municipal Airport (ASN), Talladega, Alabama about 1720.

According to the pilot, while in cruise flight about 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine had a total loss of power. He then switched fuel tanks, turned on the fuel pumps, and attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart. He subsequently landed on a public road and encountered a ditch during the landing roll. After exiting the airplane no fuel was observed leaking from the fuel tanks; however, a small amount of fuel was observed leaking from the engine area after the fire department arrived on scene.

Initial examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane had landed on a public road and during the landing roll encountered a 6 foot ditch and came to rest, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The right fuel tank was devoid of fuel and the left fuel tank had approximately 15 gallons of fuel. With the "LEFT" tank selected, fuel flowed without hindrance through the fuel selector valve from the left wing tank. The electric fuel pump was tested and operated. A follow up exam was conducted and engine continuity was confirmed from propeller hub to the rear accessory pad on the engine.

The airplane was a single-engine, four-place, low wing monoplane of all metal construction, with fixed tricycle landing gear. It was comprised of a steel tube fuselage and an aluminum frame wing. According to photographs provided by the FAA, it had two 25 gallon fuel tanks; one located in each wing and was equipped with a Lycoming O-360-A3A engine. According to the pilot, the airplane had an annual inspection on September 3, 2010; he further reported that after the local fire department arrived he had switched the fuel tank selector valve to "OFF".

According to the Airplane Flight Manual, "Performance Charts," specifically "Glide Performance," at the reported altitude, the airplane's glide distance in statue miles was about 3 miles. The manual also revealed that fuel consumption, assuming "best economy" cruise would have been approximately 9 gallons per hour. It could not be accurately determined if "best economy" cruise was utilized by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel starvation.