Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Hot Springs, AR — 2024-05-15

Final reportCEN24LA189
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Date
2024-05-15
Location
Hot Springs, AR, USA
Airport
HOT
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N6571J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The student pilot’s selection of an improper fuel tank selector position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the instructor’s inadequate oversight.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the instructor’s inadequate oversight.

NTSB narrative

The instructional flight was returning to the departure airport for landing when the student pilot changed the fuel tank selector position in preparation for landing. While flying the approach, the flight instructor told the student pilot to add engine power; however, the engine exhibited a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor took over the flight controls, and the airplane impacted a vacant area in a residential neighborhood. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector valve did not intersect the valve body port positions. With the fuel selector valve between port positions, fuel cannot flow downstream to the engine. There were no other preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Student pilot changed fuel tank selection during descent checklist.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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