N3250R

On October 13, 1995, about 1537 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N3250R, registered to Southwest Florida Air, Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing about 4 1/2 miles north of the Covington Municipal Airport, Covington, Georgia. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The commercial-rated pilot, and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1213, from the Clearwater Air Park, Clearwater, Florida.

The pilot stated that before takeoff the fuel tanks were not filled due to weight and balance considerations. While en route being vectored off airway he recognized a fuel shortage condition existed. The airplane was near an airport that has an ILS approach with decision height of 200 feet above ground level for category 1 aircraft. The pilot stated that the frequency congestion increased and Air Traffic Control (ATC) was transferred to several approach control sectors. The flight continued toward the destination then he declared minimum fuel to the controller after he was advised that the flight was about 50 miles from the destination. About that time the airplane was 28 nautical miles north-northwest of an airport that has an ILS approach and about 30 miles due south of the Covington Municipal Airport. The pilot stated that he requested a vector to the nearest airport with an instrument approach. The controller vectored the flight toward the Covington Municipal Airport after he was advised by the pilot that he was in possession of the published instrument approach procedures for the airport.

While descending, the pilot stated that the engine sputtered momentarily then regained power after he repositioned the fuel selector to the opposite tank. The pilot stated he then declared an emergency and the flight was given a vector direct toward the Covington Airport. The flight descended through clouds and after emerging from the bases about 300-400 feet above ground level, the airport was not in sight. He initiated a descent for a forced landing and after selecting a field, the engine again sputtered. The pilot landed the airplane in a field with uneven terrain and tall wet grass. Unable to stop the airplane it became airborne after contacting an elevated gravel road which caused the nose landing gear to separate. The airplane then touched down and came to rest upright about 180 degrees from the initial heading with the left main landing gear collapsed.

The right wing fuel tank was drained and found to contain about 3.5 gallons of fuel. The left wing fuel tank did not contain fuel. The fuel selector was found positioned to the right wing fuel tank and according to the engine tachometer, the airplane had been operated for 3 hours 24 minutes since fuel was added to the fuel tanks before takeoff.