Piper PA32 N56793

Summary

On 30 March 2023 at about 00:15 local time, a Piper PA32 registered N56793 was involved in an accident near Lincoln, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 March 2023 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Lincoln, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

40.1479, -89.3446

Aircraft

Piper PA32

Registration

N56793

Category

Airplane

Year built

1974

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23LA145

2 people were seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power during an approach for landing for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and the flight instructor departed for the local area flight to conduct instrument training. After completion of the instrument training, the pilot, acting as the pilot-in-command, performed takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that he activated the carburetor heat before turning onto final approach. While on the final approach, the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a parking lot. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. While the airplane was likely operating in an area conducive to the formation of carburetor icing (for glide and cruise power) and serious carburetor icing (for glide power), the pilot reported he had previously activated the carburetor heat. The pilot reported that all four fuel tanks were full before the flight. Both wing fuel tanks were breached from the accident sequence, no fuel was able to be recovered, and the fuel amount onboard at the time of the accident could not be determined. At the accident site, the fuel tank selector was found positioned between the left tip tank and the left main tank positions. However, it could not be determined if the selector was possibly moved into this position while in flight or if the selector was possibly moved into this position after the impact. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.