# Accident 19980709016329A: Piper PA22135, San Angelo, TX, July 9, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 9, 1998, 08:45 local time
- Place: San Angelo, TX
- Airport: Mathis Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 31.2809° N, 100.4105° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2809&lon=-100.4105&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1279C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1279C-2001-05-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-22-135 (registry code 7102206, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA22135
- Reported engine: LYC O320B2B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 134 total, 52 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW98LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA305) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980709016329A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4)THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING TO A CONSTRUCTION AREA FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT. AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, AN FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THE LEFT FUEL TANK EMPTY AND THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE OFF POSITION.  A MECHANIC, WHO ARRIVED AT THE SITE BEFORE THE INSPECTOR, STATED THAT HE TURNED THE SELECTOR OFF.  IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT DID NOT MENTION SELECTING A DIFFERENT FUEL TANK FOLLOWING THE POWER LOSS.  IN TWO INTERVIEWS, THE PILOT MADE CONFLICTING STATEMENTS AS TO WHETHER SHE HAD SWITCHED FUEL TANKS.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DISCREPANCIES THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION.  AFTER THE INPACT DAMAGED LOWER HALF OF THE CARBURETOR WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE WAS RUN ON A TEST STAND FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AT VARIOUS POWER SETTINGS.            (-23) AIRCRAFT N1279C EXPERIENCED ENGINE SHUT DOWN THREE TIMES DURING A FLIGHT ORIGINATING IN SAN ANGELO, TEXAS DESTINATION MIDLAND, TEXAS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO DEPLETION OF FUEL IN THE SELECTED LEFT TANK.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW98LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA305), Jul 9, 1998: Piper PA-22-135 (N1279C), San Angelo, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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