Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Greenville, MI — 2020-11-07

Final reportCEN21LA048
Sign in to save
Date
2020-11-07
Location
Greenville, MI, USA
Airport
6D6
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N9993W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a low approach over the airport, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the personal flight said he completed a night cross-country flight to two airports and returned for landing to the departure airport. During approach to the departure airport, he overflew the airport at low-level to check for deer on the runway for intended landing. During a right turn for the landing approach, the engine lost power and a subsequent engine restart attempt was unsuccessful. He stated that he could still hear some engine noise and tried to use the throttle to pump fuel. He stated there was a slight rise in engine speed when he first pumped the throttle. He was unable to regain engine power then performed a forced landing during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed about 1 pint of fuel in the left fuel tank and about 12 gallons of fuel in the right fuel tank. There was about 1 tablespoon of fuel in the carburetor and no fuel in the gascolator bowl. The loss of engine power during the right turn, with the right wing in a low attitude, most likely occurred due to unporting of any residual fuel in the left fuel tank, which did not have useable fuel remaining. Also, when some engine power was regained during the pumping of the throttle, it was indicative of only residual fuel available from the carburetor. Though the pilot stated he selected the left fuel tank about 30 minutes prior to accident, a positive selection would have supplied usable fuel to the engine and a loss of engine power likely would not have occurred.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not verify fuel levels before approach despite low fuel indications.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

Related mishaps