PIPER PA-28-161 near Ormond Beach, FL — 2011-07-10

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the flight instructor's inadequate in-flight fuel management.

NTSB narrative

During a 1.2-hour instructional flight, with the student pilot at the controls, the airplane lost engine power after takeoff. The airplane was climbing through 200 feet above ground level when the loss of power occurred, and the flight instructor maneuvered the airplane to a forced landing before it impacted trees beyond the departure end of the runway. Examination of the engine and airplane at the accident site did not reveal any preexisting mechanical anomalies that may have caused the loss of engine power. The flight instructor stated that each wing tank contained about 12 gallons of fuel before the flight. According to performance charts in the airplane's operating handbook, at best economy mixture settings, the engine would burn about 8.5 gallons per hour, which would result in about 1.4 hours of flight time for 12 gallons of fuel. The preflight ground checks of 0.2 hours and flight time of 1.2 hours would equate to about 12 gallons of fuel burn for the accident flight. Both the flight instructor and student pilot stated that the fuel selector was in the right tank position throughout the flight and was not switched to the left tank, even though the left tank had about 12 gallons of fuel. This resulted in fuel starvation to the engine when the right tank was depleted of fuel.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Fuel management

First missed decision gate

Refueling the aircraft after the first flight could have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

• Loss of engine power (total) · Initial climb
• Loss of Thrust on Takeoff

Evidence available

• Photos
• 6 docket documents

Docket documents6

• Excerps from Airplane Operating Manual and Performance Chartform
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Record of Telephone Interview - FAAinterview
• Flight Logs for N9202Cother
• Refueling Documents for N9202Cother
• Photo of Accident Sitephotos

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