# NTSB ATL82DA095: Piper PA-24-250, N7841P, Tazewell, VA, April 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1982, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Tazewell, VA
- Coordinates: 37.119232, -81.509948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1192&lon=-81.5099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA095

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - ice (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - jammed (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AT 8000 FT IN CLEAR AIR AND LEVEL FLIGHT. HE IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH THE FUEL SELECTOR TO ONE OF THE TWO REMAINING FULL FUEL TANKS BUT THE SELECTOR WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO SWITCH TANKS USING A PAIR OF PLIERS A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A SNOW COVERED ROLLING FIELD. THE LANDING WAS MADE UPHILL AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED A FENCE POST ON LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS FROZEN WATER IN THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7841P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3063
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leonard W. Johnson
- Registered owner: Leonard W. Johnson
- Departed: GA1, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Destination: HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,995 in this make and model, 2,319 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 104 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820406008019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820406008019A), Apr 6, 1982: Piper PA24250, Tazewell, VA, Substantial damage. Engine quit and pilot attempted to change tank selector. It would not move and crash occurred during landing.

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.

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