# NTSB ATL91LA179: Piper PA-28-140, N8728N, Greenville, SC, September 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1991, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, SC
- Location: 34.8479° N, 82.3500° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GREENVILLE DOWNTOWN (GMU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8479&lon=-82.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA179

## Probable cause

THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR HANDLE, AND THE CFI'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF HER STUDENT.  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS: THE CFI'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel system,selector/valve - not engaged
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND CFI HAD RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT, WHERE THE STUDENT WAS TO PRACTICE SOME TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. ON DOWNWIND LEG, THE STUDENT PERFORMED A BEFORE LANDING CHECK, WHICH INCLUDED SWITCHING FUEL TANKS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. DURING THE GO-AROUND FOLLOWING THE FIRST LANDING, THE ENGINE QUIT, RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN.  THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND FORCE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A PARKING LOT AT THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE WAS IN THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION, OR BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT TANK POSITIONS.  A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.  THE CFI HAD ONLY 36 HOURS AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, INCLUDING 6 HOURS IN THIS MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8728N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8728N-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 28-25541, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25541
- Airframe hours: 4716
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Carolyn'S Flight Academy
- Registered owner: Pilaar, Carolyn M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1991, 80 hours before
- Airport: GMU, Greenville Downtown, runway 36, 5,393 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,750 total, 141 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GMU, 1 nm away

## 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 19910921042299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910921042299A), Sep 21, 1991: Piper PA28140, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on touch and go climbout after student switched tanks. Hit fence landing. Fuel selector between tanks.

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.

---
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.