Brunswick, GA, USA
N8294P
PIPER PA24
The pilot reported that, during the flight, he forgot to lean the fuel mixture, which led to the airplane burning about 20 gallons per hour (gph) rather than the 15 gph he had used during his flight planning. The pilot decided to land and refuel at the next airport, but the engine lost power. He tried to restart the engine to no avail and then landed in a marsh with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that during the flight, he forgot to lean the mixture, and the airplane burned closer to 20 gallons per hour, rather than the 15 gallons per hour he had flight planned. The pilot decided to land and refuel at the next airport, but the engine lost power. He tried to restart the engine but was unable and landed with the landing gear retracted in a marsh. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's failure to properly lean the fuel mixture in flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a subsequent total loss of engine power, and a forced landing with the landing gear retracted.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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