# NTSB ERA09LA308: Piper PA-28-161, N1669H, Jasper, AL, May 26, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 2009, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Jasper, AL
- Coordinates: 33.901111, -87.308609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9011&lon=-87.3086&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73912/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73912
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA308

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the flight instructor's improper fuel management.

## 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-28-161, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor stated that prior to the instructional flight the airplane was refueled so that the left main tank was approximately ¾ full of fuel. He said that he checked the right fuel tank and it was full. He taxied the airplane to the runway to conduct touch-and-go landings with his student. He said that he positioned the fuel selector on the left main fuel tank. After they conducted approximately seven touch-and-go landings, and on climbout between 200-300 feet, the engine stopped running and the propeller began to windmill. He told the student pilot "my airplane," and he then made an emergency landing in a field. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left main fuel tank was depleted of fuel, and fuel continuity was established from the fuel tank to the carburetor. The right fuel tank was full of fuel. The FAA inspector interviewed a mechanic who assisted the pilots after the accident, and the mechanic stated that the fuel selector was in the left tank position after the accident. Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On May 26, 2009, about 1150 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N1669H made an emergency landing after a total loss of engine power near Walker County Airport, Jasper, Alabama. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was owned and operated by Walker County Aviation LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Walker County Airport, Jasper, Alabama, at 1100 central daylight time. The CFI stated that prior to the instructional flight, the airplane was refueled to approximately ¾ full of fuel in the left main tank. He said that he checked the right fuel tank and it was full. The CFI taxied the airplane to runway 27 to conduct touch and go landings with his student. He said that the fuel selector was positioned in the left tank during the course of the flight. After approximately seven touch and go landings, during climbout, between 200-300 feet, the engine stopped running and the propeller began to windmill. He told the student pilot "my airplane," and lowered the nose. The engine started briefly, and he advised the student to switch fuel tanks. He stated that "he did not know if the student switched fuel tanks." The engine stopped again, and he made an emergency landing in a field. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left main fuel tank was depleted of fuel. The right main fuel tank was full of fuel, and fuel continuity was established from the fuel tank to the carburetor. The FAA inspector said that a mechanic that assisted the pilots after the accident stated that the fuel selector was in the left tank position after the accident. The FAA inspector conducted an examination of the engine and did not find any mechanic anomalies that would have prevented the engine from operating normally. No other flight control or mechanical anomalies were noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1669H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1669H-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 28-7716039, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7716039
- Airframe hours: 6669
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Walker County Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Walker County Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2009, 10 hours before
- Departed: JFX, Jasper, AL
- Destination: JFX, Jasper, AL
- Airport: JFX, Walker County Airport, runway 27, 5,003 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 324 total, 64 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: 1M4

## 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 20090526007599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090526007599A), May 26, 2009: Piper PA28161, Jasper, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Flight instructor allowed left fuel cell to run dry in landing pattern. Low altitude did not allow enough time for restart, resulting in off airport…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73912. 524 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 412 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Reports from Federal Agencies-Record of Conversation FAA (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies-Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement-Mechanic statement (item 3, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Mechanic%20statement-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation CFI (item 4, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20CFI-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.