SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
N5432P
PIPER PA-24-250
THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LANDED IN A DIRT AREA ON THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCAFT ON THE SITE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE FUEL LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL WERE RUPTURED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS RESTING NOSE DOWN. NO FUEL LEAKAGE WAS OBSERVED. NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND DURING THE POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENGINE OR THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN IN THE AIRCRAFT FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES AND WAS FOUND TO BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FULL POWER.
FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT SELECTION OF THE OFF POSITION ON THE FUEL SELECTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
