N7245D

On August 7, 1996, at 1230 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-22, N7245D, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing, following a total loss of engine power. The airplane landed in a bean field near Flushing, Michigan, and flipped over during the landing. The student pilot was not injured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed.

Following the accident the airplane was examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The wing flaps were found extended. The carburetor heat was found in the off position. The mixture and primer were found in. The fuel valve selector was selected to the left wing tank. The right wing tank was found full of fuel, the left wing tank was empty.

The airplane's fuel system is made up by three separate fuel tanks. Two eighteen gallon wing tanks, and a eight gallon fuselage auxiliary tank. The PA-22 owners manual displays both wing fuel caps as being vented fuel caps. Both 18 gallon fuel tank fuel lines are routed to a single fuel valve.

A engine run up following the accident was conducted, and revealed no abnormalities with the airplane's engine.

The airplane's vertical stabilizer, rudder and elevators were crushed the left wing struts were buckled. The nose gear was buckled and had collapsed. One propeller blade was bent the other propeller blade was unremarkable.