# Accident 20230511004559A: Piper PA-28-180, Selma, AL, May 11, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 11, 2023, 19:15 local time
- Place: Selma, AL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.3945° N, 86.9169° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3945&lon=-86.9169&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1347T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1347T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-180 (registry code 7102808, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 400 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA232) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230511004559A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED KPLR AT APPROXIMATELY 1820, HEADING TO KMVC AT AN ALTITUDE OF 4500'. APPROXAMENTLY 40 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE CLOUD CEILING BROKE DOWN TO 4000' AIRCRAFT REQUESTED TO DESCEND TO 4000' ATC APPROVED DESCENT "DESCEND AT DISCRETION. " AIRCRAFT LEVELED BACK OUT AT 4000' AND THEN CONTINUED TO DESCEND TO 3500' DUE TO THE CLOUD CEILING. AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A POWER REDUCTION, WITH THE ENGINE SLOWING TO IDLE POWER. AIRCRAFT POWER SETTINGS WERE ADJUSTED WITH NO EFFECT, THE FUEL PUMP WAS TURNED ON, PITOT HEAT WAS TURNED ON, AND THE INCREASED MIXTURE TO FULL RICH. THE ENGINE NEVER RETURNED TO FULL POWER. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN SELMA, AL, 36703 AT, APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR INTO THE FLIGHT.

## 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 ERA23LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA232), May 12, 2023: Piper PA28 (N1347T), Selma, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight inspection, during which the left wing fuel sump drain was moved to and left in the open and locked position, allowing for fuel to drain during the flight and resulting…

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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