Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA24 near Kentland, IN — 2016-03-26

Final reportCEN16LA132
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Date
2016-03-26
Location
Kentland, IN, USA
Airport
50I
Aircraft
PIPER PA24
Registration
N8154P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate airspeed management during the forced landing, which led to an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that he had demonstrated the use of the airplane's fuel quantity gauge during the instructional flight. As part of the demonstration, he had changed the position of the fuel selector but did not recall in what position he had left the selector at the conclusion of the exercise. While approaching the airport to land, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane. During the subsequent forced landing to a field, the airplane stalled about 10 feet above the ground and landed hard, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination found fuel in all fuel tanks with the exception of the right auxiliary tank. No mechanical anomalies were found with the airplane. The position of the fuel selector before the loss of engine power could not be determined, as the flight instructor turned the selector to the off position during the postaccident egress. The airplane was operating in an area conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide power, however, it could not be determined if the loss of engine power was a result of fuel starvation with the right auxiliary fuel tank selected, or if carburetor icing had formed during the airplane's descent. It is likely that the stall experienced during the forced landing contributed to the severity of damage to the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Properly managing fuel selector position before descent.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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