NTSB Factual Report

On September 3, 2018, about 1353 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-32 airplane, N3957X, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while in level cruise flight near Wrangell, Alaska. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Ketchikan, Alaska about 1325 destined for Juneau, Alaska.

According to the pilot, while in level cruise flight, the engine rpm increased to 3000. In an effort to correct for the high rpm the pilot reduced manifold pressure to 17 inches of mercury. Shortly thereafter, he noticed the engine oil pressure drop with oil visible on the airplane's windscreen, followed by a total loss of engine power. He performed an emergency landing near the high tide line in an area of seagrass. During the emergency landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The aircraft was equipped with a Lycoming IO-540 series engine.

A detailed wreckage examination is pending.