Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-22-150 near Indian Trail, NC — 2013-08-16

Final reportERA13LA364
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Date
2013-08-16
Location
Indian Trail, NC, USA
Airport
28A
Aircraft
PIPER PA-22-150
Registration
N6919B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

After departure for the cross-country flight, the airplane climbed to and then cruised at an altitude of 7,500 feet; it then climbed to and cruised at an altitude of 9,500 feet. Near the end of the nearly 5-hour flight, about 3 nautical miles from the destination airport, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot cycled the fuel selector from the left wing tank to the right wing tank and back, but engine power was not restored. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane touched down and struck a barbed wire fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and elevator, and then it came to rest upright. Examination of the left wing, right wing, and fuselage fuel tanks revealed no fuel in any of the fuel tanks. No fuel odor was noted, and no evidence of fuel spillage was found at the scene. The airplane was refueled, and the continuity of the 44-gallon fuel system was confirmed. Using the airplane's battery and fuel system, the engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. According to the Owners Handbook, the fuel consumption rate at 75-percent power was 9 gallons per hour at sea level, and consumption rates increased with altitude even with the mixture properly leaned.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before departure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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