Summary
On September 27, 2011, a Piper PA-28-140 (N6800W) was involved in an incident near Montgomery, NY. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilots’ inadequate fuel management.
According to the certificated flight instructor, he and the student pilot/owner had been performing takeoffs and landings for about one hour with the left fuel tank selected when they switched the fuel selector valve to the right fuel tank and performed a "runup." During the takeoff climb, approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane from the student pilot/owner and attempted to land in a clearing. During the landing flare the right wing impacted a tree resulting in substantial damage to the wing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident location examined the airplane and the engine.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA506. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6800W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilots’ inadequate fuel management.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the certificated flight instructor, he and the student pilot/owner had been performing takeoffs and landings for about one hour with the left fuel tank selected when they switched the fuel selector valve to the right fuel tank and performed a "runup." During the takeoff climb, approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane from the student pilot/owner and attempted to land in a clearing. During the landing flare the right wing impacted a tree resulting in substantial damage to the wing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident location examined the airplane and the engine. He noted that the left fuel tank was full of fuel, the right fuel tank, carburetor, and electric fuel pump were devoid of fuel and no other preimpact anomalies were noted.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA506