CEN13LA362

During the flight, the airplane's engine experienced a loss of power, and the copilot took control of the airplane from the pilot, who had been flying, and directed the pilot to attempt to restart the engine. The airplane descended and impacted terrain short of the runway. The fuel tank selector was found in the left main tank position, but no visible fuel was found in the left main tank. After battery power was applied to the airplane, the engine data monitoring system indicated that the left main tank had 11 gallons of fuel and the right main tank had 8 gallons of fuel. After the fuel floats were moved, the monitoring system indicated that the left main tank had 2 gallons of fuel and that the right main tank had 9.5 gallons of fuel. Regardless of the fuel quantity indications, the pilots should have known how much fuel was in each tank and, based on fuel calculations, known when each tank was going to become empty. Further, the pilot should have switched fuel tanks as part of the engine restart procedures; however, he did not report doing so. Each of the four fuel tank senders were examined and wear and corrosion were found on all of them. When tested with a voltmeter, none of the fuel floats provided consistent electrical signals, which would alter the amount of fuel indicated on the engine monitoring system. Because the selector was positioned to the left main tank, the engine lost power due to fuel starvation.

On June 28, 2013, about 1455 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, N856CC, impacted terrain near the Eagle County Regional Airport (KEGE), Eagle, Colorado. The pilots were both seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated on a visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ), Carlsbad, California, about 0915 pacific daylight time and was destined for KEGE. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted an on-scene examination of the airplane. The fuel selector was found by first responders in the left main position. Battery power was applied to the airplane and the engine data monitoring (EDM) unit displayed. Left Auxiliary Tank: 0 gallons Left Main Tank: 11 gallons Right Main Tank: 8 gallons Right Auxiliary Tank: 3 gallons Each tank contained a float that was moved and allowed to settle. The EDM displayed lower quantities. During recovery, the tanks were drained. The left auxiliary tank was empty and the left main tank contained 2 gallons. The right main tank contained 9.5 gallons and the right auxiliary tank contained 2.5 gallons. The pilot reported that the co-pilot had borrowed the airplane in order to make the trip. The pilot flew the airplane while the co-pilot monitored their fuel status. While approaching runway 25 at EGE, the engine stopped producing power. The co-pilot took control of the airplane and directed the pilot to attempt a restart of the engine. The airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane was moved to a salvage facility and the airplane's fuel tank senders were examined. All four senders displayed signs of age, wear, and corrosion. When tested with a voltmeter, none of the floats registered a consistent electrical signal when actuated through its range of motion.