Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC92LA012

MONTGOMERY, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N9122P

PIPER PA-24-260

Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE QUIT THEN STARTED AGAIN. THE ENGINE THEN FAILED TOTALLY, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE DESCENT, THE AIRPLANE HIT TREES. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION SHOWED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK EMPTY, WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE. THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL AND BOTH AUXILIARY TANKS WERE FULL. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE SWITCH WAS IN THE 'OFF' POSITION, FUEL BOOST PUMP IN THE 'ON' POSITION, AND FUEL STRAINER AND SUMP VOID OF ANY FUEL. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND HAD A TOTAL OF 2 FLIGHT HOURS IN THIS TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

Probable Cause and Findings

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO CORRECTLY POSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS EXHAUSTED, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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