NTSB Factual Report

On June 29, 2018, about 1606 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8440F, was substantially damaged during a forced landing about 3 nm southwest of Mid-Carolina Regional Airport (RUQ), Salisbury, North Carolina. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the cross-country flight, that departed Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY), Salisbury, Maryland at 1350. The flight was destined for Lake Norman Airpark (14A), Mooresville, North Carolina.

According to the pilot, on the morning of the accident flight he and the two passengers departed an airport in New York on a flight bound for 14A. The pilot refueled the airplane with 24 gallons of fuel during an intermediate stop at SBY following an uneventful 2-hour flight. Prior to their departure from SBY, the pilot completed a preflight inspection of the airplane and an engine run-up, at which time he observed a normal magneto drop. Shortly after they departed, the pilot decided to return to the airport to inspect the left-wing fuel cap as it had not seated properly during the preflight inspection. He landed the airplane and confirmed the fuel cap was secured. The pilot departed the airport again at 1357 and climbed to a cruise altitude of 6,500 ft where he leveled off and selected a continuous power setting of 2,400 rpm. He changed between main fuel tanks every 30 minutes. Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes into the flight, the pilot descended to 2,500 ft to remain below clouds and in VMC and subsequently climbed to 4,500 ft where he leveled off. About 25 minutes later, the engine slowed down to a tachometer indication of 1,500 rpm and 15 seconds later the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot was unsuccessful in his attempts to restart the engine and decided to declare an emergency. An Air Traffic Controller advised the pilot of a nearby airport, RUQ, about 7 nm from his position. He subsequently lined the airplane up with airport, but chose to land on the grass between a runway and taxiway as there was a construction crew repaving the runway. During the landing attempt, the main landing gear impacted the ground first and the airplane jerked to the right before coming to rest in the grass.

Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and left wing. The wreckage has been retained for further examination.