Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-22-108 near Opelousas, LA — 2008-05-03

Final reportDFW08LA130
Sign in to save
Date
2008-05-03
Location
Opelousas, LA, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-108
Registration
N4515Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

Loss of engine power due to starvation of the right fuel tank and the inability to select the left fuel tank. Contributing to airplane damage was the hidden obstruction in the field selected for the forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was maneuvering around weather, destined for his home airport, when the engine lost power due to exhaustion of the right fuel tank. While attempting to change from the right tank to the left tank the fuel selector became impeded by a loose screw on the fuel placard. The pilot attempted to switch tanks several times before committing to a forced landing. The pilot successfully landed the airplane in a wheat field. During the landing roll out, the nose gear contacted a rut resulting in damage to the nose gear and subsequently allowed the airplane to nose over coming to rest in the inverted position.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

Related mishaps