LAKERVILLE, MN, USA
N1GF
PIPER PA-28-140
WHILE ON DOWNWIND, THE PILOT MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS THE LEFT TANK POSITION. HE ALSO MOVED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE. HE EXTENDED HIS PATTERN TO ALLOW TIME FOR ANOTHER PILOT TO BACK-TAXI DOWN THE RUNWAY TO THE RUN-UP AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT ELECTED TO GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, WHEN HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE, THERE WAS NO ENGINE RESPONSE. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE ON LEVEL, SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. THIS OCCURRED DURING TOUCHDOWN ABOUT 30 YARDS BEFORE THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION PLATE WAS LOOSE AND HAD ROTATED 180 DEGREES. THE INTENDED LEFT TANK POSITION WAS ALIGNED WITH THE "OFF" DETENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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