N40971

On September 23, 1995, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N40971, registered to and operated by the Pompano Senior Squadron Flying Club, collided with trees about 1 nautical mile northwest of the St. Augustine Airport, St. Augustine, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 0843 from the Pompano Beach Airpark, Pompano, Florida.

The pilot stated that the flight departed with full fuel tanks and about 1 hour into the flight, he repositioned the fuel selector from the right to the left fuel tank. The flight continued, entered the traffic pattern to land, and the pilot further stated that he extended the downwind leg due to traffic. The flight turned left base and the engine failed to respond to throttle input. Attempts to restart were unsuccessful and the pilot landed the airplane in trees about 1.2 nautical miles west- northwest from the airport. The airplane was recovered and according to the recovery crew, the fuel line to the inlet of the carburetor and the carburetor bowl were drained and found to contain 1-2 ounces of fuel each. No fuel contamination nor obstructions of the fuel supply system were noted. The fuel tanks were found to be ruptured.

An undamaged propeller was installed and an auxiliary fuel tank was temporarily plumbed to the right wing fuel tank. The engine was then started and found to operate normally.