Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28 near Fort Worth, TX — 2022-06-07

Final reportCEN22LA237
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Date
2022-06-07
Location
Fort Worth, TX, USA
Airport
FTW
Aircraft
PIPER PA28
Registration
N8283V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The student pilot’s inadequate fuel management that resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was practicing a touch-and-go landing following a cross-country flight when the accident occurred. During the takeoff portion of the touch and go, at an altitude of 100 ft above the runway, the engine stopped producing power. The student pilot performed a forced landing and the left wing collided with a tree and separated which resulted in substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane found the right fuel tank was empty and the left fuel tank was about ½ full of fuel. The student pilot reported the right fuel tank was selected when the engine lost power. It is likely that the engine lost power when it was starved of fuel.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured fuel selector was on the full tank before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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