Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28 near Brewton, AL — 2017-12-05

Final reportERA18LA041
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Date
2017-12-05
Location
Brewton, AL, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA28
Registration
N747KM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting an instrument flight rules cross-country flight. While descending out of 8,000 ft, the airplane's engine lost total power. The pilot attempted to divert to a nearby airport; however, there were strong headwinds and the airplane would not glide all the way to the airport, so he attempted to land in a field. The airplane collided with treetops and a fence during the off-airport landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the intact left-wing fuel tank only contained about 20 fluid ounces of fuel, while the impact-breached right-wing fuel tank was about 1/2 full. The fuel selector was found in the left fuel tank position. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. Given this information, it is likely that the pilot exhausted the airplane's fuel supply in the left fuel tank and did not switch the fuel selector to the right tank, which resulted in the total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to maintain altitude instead of descending.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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