# NTSB CEN12CA415: Piper PA-28-235, N8788W, Richmond, IN, June 24, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 24, 2012, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Richmond, IN - Coordinates: 39.756111, -84.842781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7561&lon=-84.8428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA415 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84164/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84164 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA415 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel selector was properly positioned, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that he performed the emergency procedures but did not think to check the position of the fuel selector. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a nearby field, and the airplane’s firewall and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the fuel selector was on an auxiliary tank that did not contain any fuel. He added that the fuel selector was easy to move inadvertently and that a passenger’s foot may have moved the selector before takeoff. ## Factual narrative The pilot and three passengers departed the airport in a single-engine airplane. During the climb, when the airplane was about 2,100 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that he performed the emergency procedures, but did not think to check the fuel selector. The pilot elected to conduct a force landing in a nearby field. During the landing the airplane’s firewall and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot also reported that the fuel selector was on an auxiliary tank that did not contain any fuel. He added that the fuel selector was easy to move inadvertently, and that a passenger’s foot may have moved the selector before takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8788W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8788W), registered now, S/N 28-10335, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10335 - Airframe hours: 3746 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Lewis - Registered owner: John Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2011 - Departed: KRID, Richmond, IN - Destination: KRID, Richmond, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KRID, Richmond Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 10 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KRID ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84164. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 904 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.