Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Wayside, TX — 2024-02-09

Final reportCEN24LA114
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Date
2024-02-09
Location
Wayside, TX, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N7586R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper fuel management during the cross-country flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country flight when the airplane had a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The pilot reported that he switched fuel tanks but was unable to restore engine power before an off-airport forced landing was made in an open field. The airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage when it struck a metal fence post during the forced landing. According to the student pilot and fueling documentation, the airplane departed on the cross-country flight with a full fuel load (50 gallons) evenly distributed between the wing fuel tanks. The student pilot stated that he switched fuel tanks every 30 minutes during the estimated 2.4 hour flight. However, after the accident, the right fuel tank was found void of usable fuel, and the left fuel tank remained full. A postaccident operational engine test run did not reveal any mechanical anomalies with the engine. It is likely that the student pilot (who did not have a flight instructor endorsement for the solo cross-country flight) mismanaged the fuel during the flight which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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