Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-22-160 near McKinleyville, CA — 2012-08-02

Final reportWPR12CA340
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Date
2012-08-02
Location
McKinleyville, CA, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-22-160
Registration
N3442Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model and his lack of knowledge regarding the fuel system.

NTSB narrative

The pilot said that he had just acquired the airplane and was flying his first cross-country flight in it. He was not monitoring the fuel quantity in the left and right fuel tanks, because he thought the fuel selector was positioned to both tanks. However, the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank for the entire trip. On short final at his destination, the airplane’s engine lost power due to fuel starvation. The pilot performed a forced landing, which bent and wrinkled the fuselage and wings. The pilot had a total flight time of about 150 hours of which only 5 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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