# NTSB CHI96LA276: Piper PA-22, N7245D, Flushing, MI, August 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1996, 13:22 local (18:22 UTC) - Place: Flushing, MI - Coordinates: 43.059955, -83.840896 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0600&lon=-83.8409&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 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10344/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA276 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion caused by the failure of the pilot to select a fuel tank with fuel remaining. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fuel system - exhaustion (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The airplane flipped over during a forced landing in a bean field, following a total loss of engine power. Postflight examination revealed that the right wing tank was full of fuel, and the left wing tank was empty. The fuel valve selector was found selected to the left wing tank. Both wing tanks use vented fuel caps, and are routed to a single fuel valve. During a engine run up following the accident no abnormalities with the airplane's engine were noted. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1996, at 1230 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-22, N7245D, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing, following a total loss of engine power. The airplane landed in a bean field near Flushing, Michigan, and flipped over during the landing. The student pilot was not injured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed. Following the accident the airplane was examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The wing flaps were found extended. The carburetor heat was found in the off position. The mixture and primer were found in. The fuel valve selector was selected to the left wing tank. The right wing tank was found full of fuel, the left wing tank was empty. The airplane's fuel system is made up by three separate fuel tanks. Two eighteen gallon wing tanks, and a eight gallon fuselage auxiliary tank. The PA-22 owners manual displays both wing fuel caps as being vented fuel caps. Both 18 gallon fuel tank fuel lines are routed to a single fuel valve. A engine run up following the accident was conducted, and revealed no abnormalities with the airplane's engine. The airplane's vertical stabilizer, rudder and elevators were crushed the left wing struts were buckled. The nose gear was buckled and had collapsed. One propeller blade was bent the other propeller blade was unremarkable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7245D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7245D-1997-01-13), registration cancelled 1997-01-13, S/N 225071 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-5071 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Farther John 77 Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 50G, CHESANING, MI - Destination: 3DA, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 11 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNT ## 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 19960807021319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960807021319A), Aug 7, 1996: Piper PA22150, Flushing, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced engine failure and crashed in a field. (-23) aircraft was flying from chesaning (50G) to dalton (3DA). Pilot reported engine problems,… 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.