NTSB Factual Report

On March 20, 2008, about 0750 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3304W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from the Union County Airport (M72), New Albany, Mississippi. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Roscoe Turner Airport (CRX), Corinth, Mississippi. The business flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The airplane was owned by the pilot and based at M72.

According to the pilot, after performing a preflight inspection and a normal engine run-up, he departed from Runway 36, a 3,900-foot-long, asphalt runway.

The airplane lifted off normally and had climbed to an altitude of about 75 feet above the runway, when it began to "sputter" and then experienced a total loss of engine power. The airplane touched down hard on the remaining runway, before going off the end. The airplane came to a stop about 50 feet beyond the runway. Both occupants exited the airplane before a post crash fire consumed a majority of the fuselage, and the right wing.

Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not identify evidence of any mechanical malfunctions.

The pilot reported that the airplane was flown for 1.3 hours since it was refueled to its maximum capacity of 84 gallons, 9 days prior to the accident. Fuel recovered from the airplane’s left wing was absent of contamination.

The airplane had been operated for about 40 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on August 9, 2007.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.