N33341

On August 4, 1997, about 0100 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N33341, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Ashland Airport, Ashland, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which last departed from Wheeling, West Virginia, about 2345. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated:

"...The Ashland (3G4) beacon was in sight northwest of our position and 7 miles as we descended through 3,400' for the pattern of 2,000'.

Just as I picked up the mike to turn on the runway lights, the engine stopped. I dropped the mike & switched from left to right tanks and turned on the fuel pump - the engine started and ran ( approx. 20 in mp) for about a minute and a half - then stopped again.

During this activity, the aircraft descended to 2,200' MSL. I glanced out the left side of the windshield while clicking the mike for the lights. The runway was off to my left front - I chose to land on runway 18 and turned left to head for the approach end with gear and flaps extended - so as to loose the altitude. As I headed toward the runway in a slip I realized my speed was to high for a safe landing on the runway and decided to land under control straight ahead."

Examination of the airplane by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), disclosed that 72 ounces of fuel was drained from both fuel tanks. The main landing gear had been torn from the wings, and both wings were buckled with wrinkles and popped rivets.

The Piper PA-28R-200 had a useable fuel capacity of 48 gallons, with 2 gallons (256 ounces) of unusable fuel.

According to reports from the FAA, the airplane had been filled with fuel on July 31, and did not fly again until the evening of August 1. The pilot departed Ashland, and flew to Wheeling, West Virginia, and then onto Lewisburg, West Virginia. While at Lewisburg, the airplane was not serviced. The pilot departed, about 2200, on August 3, for the return trip to Ashland, with an intermediate stop at Wheeling. The hobbs meter indicated that the airplane had been operated for 4.9 hours since the last refueling.