N44541

On June 5, 2003, at 1645 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N44541, registered to Pigeon Holding LLC, and operated by a private pilot, collided with trees while maneuvering for an emergency landing near Hamilton, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Aliceville, Alabama, en route to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, June 5, 2003 at 1545.

According to the pilot, about 45 minutes into the flight, while flying at an altitude of 3000 feet, the engine lost power. Efforts by the pilot to restore full engine power were unsuccessful. The pilot selected a nearby pasture for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with trees as the pilot maneuvered for the emergency landing.

During the engine examination the spark plugs were remove to facilitate a compression check. Compression was noted on all cylinders. The rocker covers were removed and movement tough out the valve train was noted. The engine was borescoped and it revealed that the # 2 cylinder rod cap was broken. The accessory case was removed to check the oil pump. No oil was found in the engine and the oil sump was dry. A visual examination of the airframe also failed to reveal oil deposits on the skin of the airplane. A review of the engine maintenance logbook revealed that the engine had been overhauled by a mechanic 426 hours before the accident. The annual airframe inspection was completed on April 21 2003.

Review of the Cherokee 140 owner's handbook, section VI, Oil Requirements, states: The capacity of the O-320 series engine is 8 quarts, and the minimum safe quantity is 2 quarts. Section III, Preflight; states: 5c, (Check for obvious fuel or oil leaks.) 5d, (Check oil level, 8 quarts maximum.) The pilot did not report finding any problems with the airplane during his preflight.