Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA24 near Hollywood, AL — 2016-10-06

Final reportERA17LA006
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Date
2016-10-06
Location
Hollywood, AL, USA
Airport
4A6
Aircraft
PIPER PA24
Registration
N8560P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A failure of the fuel tank selector valve in a partially closed position, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was accomplishing a flight review with his flight instructor seated in the right cockpit seat. Ground operations and the engine run-up were normal. After climbing to 3,000 ft mean sea level, the pilot retarded the throttle and the engine lost total power, with no pressure observed on the fuel pressure gauge. The flight instructor assumed the controls, established best glide speed, and performed a forced landing in a field. After touchdown, the airplane struck an embankment before coming to rest on a dirt road. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure of the engine that would have precluded normal operation. All fuel tanks contained an adequate supply of fuel. However, examination of the fuel tank selector valve revealed that the valve was stuck in the partially closed position, which would have restricted fuel flow to the engine. Moving the tank selector handle did not open the valve.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel selector position before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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