# NTSB DFW08CA160: Piper PA-28-235, N9122W, Amistad, NM, May 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2008, 10:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Amistad, NM - Coordinates: 35.9375, -103.116111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9375&lon=-103.1161&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: ABQ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68166/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA160 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation while in cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were incorrect maintenance, the fuel selector movement was impeded and a plowed field. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Maintenance: replacement](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); 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) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted an engine restart, but could not restore engine power. The pilot then elected to perform a forced landing to a plowed field. Upon touchdown, the gear contacted ruts in the ground resulting in a collapse of the landing gear. An examination of the airplane revealed that the housing encasing the fuel selector had been recently replaced with an incorrect housing which impeded movement of the fuel selector to all fuel tanks. The pilot reported that post-maintenance test flights did not detect the incorrect installation. ## Factual narrative While in cruise flight the private pilot experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted an engine restart, but could not restore engine power. The pilot then elected to perform a forced landing to a plowed field. Upon touchdown, the gear contacted ruts in the ground resulting in a collapse of the landing gear. An examination of the airplane revealed that the housing encasing the fuel selector had been recently replaced with an incorrect housing which impeded movement of the fuel selector to all fuel tanks. The pilot reported that post-maintenance test flights did not detect the incorrect installation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9122W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9122W-2015-05-07), registration cancelled 2015-05-07, S/N 28-10738, built 1966 (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: 28-10738 - Airframe hours: 5310.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gibbs Michael J - Registered owner: Co-owned - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008 - Departed: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM - Destination: DHT, DALHART, TX - Airport: NM29, Rosebud ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,233 total, 590 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: TCC, 46 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 20080530837119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080530837119A), May 30, 2008: Piper PA28235, Amistad, NM, Substantial damage. (-23)On may 30, 2008 at 1115 MDT, a PA-28, N9122W, piloted by the registered owner made an off airport landing about 5 miles NE of Amistad, NM while on a part… 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.