# NTSB CHI82DA067: Piper PA-28-140, N1GF, Lakerville, MN, February 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1982, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Lakerville, MN
- Coordinates: 44.670234, -93.23954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6702&lon=-93.2395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA067

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - loose (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON DOWNWIND, THE PILOT MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS THE LEFT TANK POSITION. HE ALSO MOVED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE. HE EXTENDED HIS PATTERN TO ALLOW TIME FOR ANOTHER PILOT TO BACK-TAXI DOWN THE RUNWAY TO THE RUN-UP AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT ELECTED TO GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, WHEN HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE, THERE WAS NO ENGINE RESPONSE. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE ON LEVEL, SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. THIS OCCURRED DURING TOUCHDOWN ABOUT 30 YARDS BEFORE THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION PLATE WAS LOOSE AND HAD ROTATED 180 DEGREES. THE INTENDED LEFT TANK POSITION WAS ALIGNED WITH THE "OFF" DETENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1GF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21153
- Airframe hours: 3074
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gervase J. Wagner
- Registered owner: Gervase J. Wagner
- Departed: Y12, LAKERVILLE, MN
- Destination: Y12, LAKERVILLE, MN
- Airport: Y12, Airlake Industrial, runway 12, 5,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,582 total, 102 in this make and model, 3,079 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 97 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820221004979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820221004979A), Feb 21, 1982: Piper PA28140, Lakeville, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot assumed fuel selector in correct position, but position plate had rotated and selector was in off position.

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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