The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at about 1317 Pacific time. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported noticing the vacuum pump had failed while on approach. Soon, ATC asked him to slow the airplane for traffic. The pilot reduced power to about 2000 rpm to comply but, shortly thereafter, advanced the throttle without response. The pilot realized the engine had lost power and he would not be able to make the airport, so he initiated a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted multiple metal poles. Examination revealed the left and right wings sustained structural damage. All four fuel tanks were breached; a fuel odor was present at the accident site.
January 20, 2011, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Piper PA-28-235
The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at about 1317 Pacific time. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported noticing the vacuum pump had failed while on approach. Soon, ATC asked him to slow the airplane for traffic. The pilot reduced power to about 2000 rpm to comply but, shortly thereafter, advanced the throttle without response.
Key Takeaways:
- A solo private pilot executed a forced landing after the engine lost power during an approach, an event preceded by a vacuum pump failure.
- The engine ceased responding after the pilot reduced power for ATC traffic and then attempted to advance the throttle.
- The airplane sustained substantial damage, including structural wing damage and breached fuel tanks, from impacting multiple metal poles during the forced landing.
- Despite the extensive aircraft damage, the pilot was not injured.
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