# NTSB ERA10CA490: Piper PA32R, N9263R, Chamblee, GA, September 20, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 20, 2010, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Chamblee, GA - Coordinates: 33.837501, -84.308052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8375&lon=-84.3081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77347 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA490 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77347/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77347 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA490 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper placement of the fuel selector. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he completed his descent checklist and moved the fuel selector from the "Right" to the "Left" position. The airplane was 2 to 3 miles from the destination airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot configured the airplane to attain the best glide airspeed and completed a forced landing to an interstate highway. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of pre-impact anomalies or fuel leakage; about 35 gallons of fuel remained in each wing. The fuel selector was found in the "Off" position; however, it was not determined if it had been moved to that position in flight or after impact. Recorded engine data revealed that about 1 minute prior to touchdown, the fuel flow rapidly dropped to almost zero; all exhaust gas temperatures went to zero and all cylinder head temperatures began a gradual decline. Under the supervision of an FAA inspector, the engine was test run and no anomalies were found. It was noted that during the engine run, the engine stopped producing power approximately 1 minute after the fuel selector was placed in the "Off" position, which was located to the left of the "Left" position. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he completed his "descent checklist" and moved the fuel selector from the "Right" to the "Left" position. The airplane was 2 to 3 miles from the destination airport when the engine "began to quit" and then completely stopped producing power. The pilot adjusted to best glide airspeed and attempted "as many immediate action items [from] memory as I could." The pilot completed a forced landing to an interstate highway which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of pre-impact anomalies or fuel leakage, and about 35 gallons of fuel in each wing. The fuel selector was found in the "Off" position; however, it was not determined if it had been moved to that position in flight or subsequent to the flight. Recorded engine data revealed that about 1 minute prior to touchdown, the fuel flow rapidly dropped to almost zero, all exhaust gas temperatures went to zero, and all cylinder head temperatures began a gradual decline. Under the supervision of an FAA inspector, a club propeller was installed to replace the damaged propeller for a test run of the engine on the airframe, using the airplane's own fuel system. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption when either the "Left" or "Right" positions were selected on the fuel selector. The engine stopped producing power approximately 1 minute after the fuel selector was placed in the "Off" position, which was located to the left of the "Left" position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9263R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9263R-2016-04-07), registration cancelled 2016-04-07, S/N 3246019, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R (301HP) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3246019 - Airframe hours: 2090 - Engines: LYCOMING IO540 301 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Saratoga Rental Options LLC - Registered owner: Saratoga Rental Options LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 12, 2009, 110 hours before - Departed: LZU, Lawrenceville, GA - Destination: PDK, Chamblee, GA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 2,203 total, 51 in this make and model, 2,077 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: PDK, 1 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 20100920055639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100920055639A), Sep 20, 2010: Piper PA-32R-301, Chamblee, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that at approximately 2500 feet MSL and 2-3 NM from the pdk airport, the engine began to couch and sputter, pilot noticed engine oil pressure… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77347. 733 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Engine Temperature Parameters (Courtesy of Owner) (item 4, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337124&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Temperature%20Parameters%20(Courtesy%20of%20Owner)-Master.PDF - Additional Engine/Propeller Parameters (Courtesy of Owner) (item 5, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Engine%2FPropeller%20Parameters%20(Courtesy%20of%20Owner)-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.