N5242W

On November 28, 2020, a Piper PA28 (N5242W) was involved in an accident near French Lick, IN. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s improper in-flight decision making which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

The pilot departed from his home airport on a personal flight with 8 to 9 gallons of fuel in the left tank and 6 to 7 gallons of fuel in the right tank. He planned to use the left fuel tank for most of the flight, then switch to the right tank upon returning to the airport for touch-and-go-landings. The pilot stated that he did not switch to the right tank and during the third touch-and-go and the engine experienced a total loss of power. He added that he applied carburetor heat but did not remember to switch fuel tanks. The pilot made a forced landing into a wooded area near the airport. The accident is consistent with a total loss of power due to fuel starvation.

This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN21LA068. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5242W.