Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-44-180 near Eastman, GA — 2010-08-10

Final reportERA10LA410
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Date
2010-08-10
Location
Eastman, GA, USA
Airport
EZM
Aircraft
PIPER PA-44-180
Registration
N730FT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

Both pilots’ failure to use emergency checklist procedures for restarting the engine after the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the fuel tanks were approximately full prior to the instructional cross-country flight. During the descent, the left engine and then the right engine lost total engine power. The CFI assumed control of the airplane and initiated an engine restart, which was unsuccessful. The airplane struck several trees and came to rest inverted. According to the airplane’s pilot operating handbook, in order to begin restoring power, the fuel selector must be in the "ON" position. Examination of the wreckage indicated that the fuel selector valves were in the "OFF" positions; further, no malfunctions or anomalies were found to prevent the engines from operating normally. According to both pilots, neither could recall turning the fuel selector valves to the "OFF" positions. In a written statement provided by the flight school's assistant chief flight instructor, a rear seat passenger would be able to inadvertently retard both fuel selector valves to the "OFF" position. Although it is probable that the inadvertent retarding of the selector valves caused the initial engine failures, there was no evidence to indicate that the engines could not have been restarted had the air start or the engine securing procedure checklists been accomplished and the fuel selector valves been placed in the "ON" position.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured fuel selector was off before attempting engine restart.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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