Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28 near French Lick, IN — 2020-11-28

Final reportCEN21LA068
Sign in to save
Date
2020-11-28
Location
French Lick, IN, USA
Airport
FRH
Aircraft
PIPER PA28
Registration
N5242W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper in-flight decision making which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported he’d departed from his home airport on a personal flight with 8 to 9 gallons of fuel in the left tank and 6 to 7 gallons of fuel in the right tank. He planned to use the left fuel tank for most of the flight, then switch to the right tank upon returning to the airport for touch-and-go-landings. The pilot reported that he did not switch to the right tank and during the third touch-and-go landing the engine lost all power. The pilot applied carburetor heat but did not remember to switch fuel tanks. The pilot made a forced landing into a wooded area near the airport and impacted trees and terrain, during which the right wing separated from the fuselage. The left wing, aft fuselage, and empennage sustained substantial damage.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

Related mishaps