N4617P

On June 13, 1998, at 1650 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N4617P, operated by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage from impact with trees, the terrain, and a post impact fire, during a forced landing 12 miles north of Albion, Michigan. The pilot received minor injuries, while his passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot said that the right engine suffered a loss of power, and he was attempting a forced landing in a field when the airplane impacted tree tops. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed Marshall, Michigan, about 1640.

The student pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the loss of right engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. He said that he was unable to maintain flight and initiated a forced landing.

A post accident examination of the airplane found that the left wing was destroyed by impact and a post accident fire. The right wing fuel tanks were intact and contained only unusable fuel. Both the right and left engine fuel selectors were found in the off position. The right propeller was not feathered.

Logbooks for the airplane and engines were examined where it was determined the most recent annual inspection was conducted on October 18, 1996.

Several attempts were made to contact the pilot and have him complete an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report." On contacting the Calhoun County (MI), Sheriff's Department on September 11, 1998, it was determined the pilot died on September 5, 1998. The cause of his death was not related to the airplane accident according the Calhoun County (MI) Sheriff's Department.