# Accident 20150309003439A: Piper PA-24-250, Ft. Myers, FL, March 9, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 9, 2015, 15:10 local time
- Place: Ft. Myers, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.5867° N, 81.8633° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5867&lon=-81.8633&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6514P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6514P-2018-05-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-24-250 (registry code 7102404, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 950 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA15LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA149) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150309003439A

## Narrative

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

PIC WAS APPROACHING PAGE FIELD IN FT. MYERS FLORIDA.  HE MEANT TO SWITCH FROM THE TIP TANKS TO MAIN TANKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AIRCRAFT CHECKLIST HOWEVER, HE INADVERTENTLY SELECTED THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL CONTROL FROM THE TIP TANKS TO THE OFF POSITION.

AIRCRAFT WAS PURCHASED ON FEBRUARY 15, 2015, ONLY 3.5 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  PIC HAD UNDER 25 HOURS IN TYPE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  ALSO NOTED THE PIC RECEIVED A COMPLEX AND HIGH PERFORMANCE ENDORSEMENT 3.5 WEEKS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT.

## 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 ERA15LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA149), Mar 9, 2015: Piper PA-24-250 (N6514P), Fort Myers, FL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent placement of both fuel selectors to the "off" position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N6514P (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19750923028779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750923028779A), Sep 23, 1975: Piper PA24250 (N6514P), Guy, AR, Substantial damage. Didnt refuel at enroute stop. Hit stone fence & dike.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.