Date: 201809
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: Marginal
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Night
Aircraft: PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Descent
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Engine
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Time Pressure
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I was cruising at 6;000 feet in visual conditions heading direct [ZZZZZ]. Approach cleared me to descend 4;000 feet. Shortly after beginning my decent; I noticed some roughness in the engine. I scanned the instruments and noticed the fuel flow was 6 gph; when I had configured it to 9 gph during flight. The controller then cleared me to cross [the fix] at or above 3;100 feet. I quickly confirmed the clearance then set about increasing the mixture. The fuel flow peaked than began dropping again; this time below 6 with steadily increasing engine roughness. I turned the fuel pump on to no effect on the fuel flow gauge; then switched tanks from left to right; to no effect. The controller then called me informing me I was below 3;100 feet and I immediately [notified ATC] stating mey engine failed and that I was going down; pitching for 75 mph. The controller asked if I could make it to [a nearby airport]and I said no. The controller advised me of restart procedure; which I tried with no success. The controller then asked if I had visual contact with the ground. At that point I was over a cloud layer and told him I could not see. He then tried to inform me of two private airstrips; one off to my one o'clock; and one directly below me and of the nearest major highway. I tried to follow his direction; but at this point I realized I'd lost vacuum pressure and my gyros were not functioning. As I came through the cloud layer; I righted the airplane from a banking descent; and I still could not see any lights or street lights marking a road in my vicinity; and I told the controller I wasn't able to see anything. The controller then asked for a contact number and told me to do my best and that they would contact me after to send help. I still could not see any roads or distinguish any landmarks or empty fields in the darkness. I did notice some flashing red lights and assumed it was an intersection and headed for it. Shortly after; the controller said he was reading me at 800 ft. Seconds later; I felt the impact of a tree; then hit the ground.

Callback: Reporter indicated the apparent fuel flow problem resulted in no injuries and damage limited to the propeller and a small hole in the horizontal stabilizer.



Synopsis: PA-28 pilot reported a loss of engine power led to an off field landing.