Pilot Debrief

Piper PA32RT near Meridianville, AL — 2020-04-27

Final reportERA20LA164
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Date
2020-04-27
Location
Meridianville, AL, USA
Airport
MDQ
Aircraft
Piper PA32RT
Registration
N772SG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's slip maneuver with a less than full fuel tank selected, which resulted in unporting of the fuel supply, and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach, the airplane was too fast and high, so he performed a slip maneuver to increase the descent rate. The pilot then added power to arrest the descent rate; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field about 1,600 ft short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Twenty-five gallons of fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank and 7 gallons of fuel was recovered from the right fuel tank. The fuel tank selector valve was positioned to the right tank. The engine was successfully started and run at idle power following the accident and no anomalies were noted. The pilot’s operating handbook stated that certain extreme maneuvers, including slip maneuvers, could result in unporting of the fuel supply if the selected fuel tank is not full. It is likely that the fuel unported from the right fuel tank during the slip maneuver, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the forward slip to prevent fuel outlet uncovering.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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