GREENVILLE, SC, USA
N8728N
PIPER PA-28-140
THE STUDENT PILOT AND CFI HAD RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT, WHERE THE STUDENT WAS TO PRACTICE SOME TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. ON DOWNWIND LEG, THE STUDENT PERFORMED A BEFORE LANDING CHECK, WHICH INCLUDED SWITCHING FUEL TANKS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. DURING THE GO-AROUND FOLLOWING THE FIRST LANDING, THE ENGINE QUIT, RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN. THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND FORCE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A PARKING LOT AT THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE WAS IN THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION, OR BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT TANK POSITIONS. A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE CFI HAD ONLY 36 HOURS AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, INCLUDING 6 HOURS IN THIS MODEL.
THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR HANDLE, AND THE CFI'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF HER STUDENT. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS: THE CFI'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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