Accident Piper PA-28-236 N4300V, Saturday 10 December 1994

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Date:	Saturday 10 December 1994
Time:	13:30 LT
Type:	Piper PA-28-236
Owner/operator:	Air West Flying
Registration:	N4300V
MSN:	28-8311016
Year of manufacture:	1983
Engine model:	Lycoming O-540-J3A5D
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Medicine Bow, WY - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Sheridan, WY (KSHR)
Destination airport:	Broomfield, CO (KBJC)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
WHILE CRUISING AT 11,500 FEET MSL, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. BEING UNABLE TO REGAIN POWER, THE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING NEAR MEDICINE BOW, WYOMING. THE TOUCHDOWN WAS SUCCESSFUL, BUT THE NOSE GEAR AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN. LATER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BOTH MAGNETO COILS HAD SHORTED TO THE MAGNETO HOUSING. ONE COIL HAD BURNED THROUGH ITS INSULATION, AND THE OTHER SHOWED SIGNS OF ARCING THROUGH A NUMBER OF CRACKS IN ITS INSULATION.

Probable Cause: THE FAILURE OF THE MAGNETO SYSTEM DUE TO SHORTING OF BOTH MAGNETO COILS TO THE MAGNETO HOUSING AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING.

Accident investigation: