N2691T

On November 22, 1998, at 1200 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N2691T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing about four miles west of the Iowa Falls Airport, near Iowa Falls, Iowa. The pilot stated that the airplane suffered fuel starvation. The private pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Fairbault, Minnesota, about 1044.

In his written statement the pilot stated that he originally departed Kansas City, Missouri, at 0726 and proceeded to Fairbault, Minnesota, where he said he took 2 hours and 28 minutes. He said he departed Fairbault at 1044 with the intended destination of Ames, Iowa. He said that while in cruise flight the engine lost power on one tank, he selected the other tank, but was unable to continue to the intended destination due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot said that during the forced landing, the airplane impacted a fence with a wing, which rotated the airplane and resulted in substantial damage.

An examination of the airplane after the accident indicated no usable fuel in either fuel tank. No fuel stains were found on the bottom of the airplane or around the accident site. No fuel leaks were found around the fuel lines, from the fuel tanks to the engine. The fuel caps did not indicate any leaks.