CLEARWATER, FL, USA
N9558W
PIPER PA-28-140
DURING THE BASE LEG FOR A FULL STOP LANDING, THE ENG EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE PLT REPOSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR BUT THE ENG DID NOT START. UNABLE TO LAND AT THE ARPT, HE DITCHED THE ACFT WHICH NOSED OVER AFTER IMPACT. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & THE LT FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS FULL, WAS DRAINED & FOUND TO CONTAIN 5-10 GALS OF FUEL. THE REMAINDER WAS WATER. THE RT FUEL TANK, ALSO FULL, WAS DRAINED & FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER. NO FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE LT TANK. THE ENG WAS EXAMINED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTOR POSITION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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