Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-235 near Richmond, IN — 2012-06-24

Final reportCEN12CA415
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Date
2012-06-24
Location
Richmond, IN, USA
Airport
KRID
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-235
Registration
N8788W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel selector was properly positioned, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that he performed the emergency procedures but did not think to check the position of the fuel selector. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a nearby field, and the airplane’s firewall and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the fuel selector was on an auxiliary tank that did not contain any fuel. He added that the fuel selector was easy to move inadvertently and that a passenger’s foot may have moved the selector before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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