Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-151 near Spearfish, SD — 2010-07-24

Final reportCEN10LA430
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Date
2010-07-24
Location
Spearfish, SD, USA
Airport
SPF
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-151
Registration
N1158X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Go-around

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane’s airspeed was 70 mph when it was crossing the runway threshold, which was 10 mph slower than he normally landed the airplane. He decided to execute a go-around and flew the length of the runway before making the crosswind turn. When he turned left onto the downwind leg, the engine stopped producing power and he executed a forced landing to a field. He reported that he did not see a tree in the field and the right wing impacted the tree after the airplane touched down. Postaccident inspection of the left fuel tank revealed that it was full of fuel. There was no evidence of fuel in the right wing’s fuel tank. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane and that he did not switch the fuel tanks prior to landing, causing the engine to lose power due to fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not switch fuel tanks before landing, leading to fuel starvation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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