# NTSB ERA11CA506: Piper PA-28-140, N6800W, Montgomery, NY, September 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2011, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Montgomery, NY - Coordinates: 41.502223, -74.270278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5022&lon=-74.2703&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA506 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81921/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81921 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA506 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilots’ inadequate 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-28-140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/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-28-140, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102802), [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-28-140, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the certified flight instructor, he and the student pilot/owner had been performing takeoffs and landings for about 1 hour with the left fuel tank selected; they then switched the fuel selector valve to the right fuel tank before performing an engine run-up. During the takeoff climb, about 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and attempted to land in a clearing. During the landing flare, the right wing impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the wing. A postaccident examination revealed that the left fuel tank was full of fuel; however, the right fuel tank, carburetor, and electric fuel pump were devoid of fuel. No other preimpact anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative According to the certificated flight instructor, he and the student pilot/owner had been performing takeoffs and landings for about one hour with the left fuel tank selected when they switched the fuel selector valve to the right fuel tank and performed a "runup." During the takeoff climb, approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane from the student pilot/owner and attempted to land in a clearing. During the landing flare the right wing impacted a tree resulting in substantial damage to the wing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident location examined the airplane and the engine. He noted that the left fuel tank was full of fuel, the right fuel tank, carburetor, and electric fuel pump were devoid of fuel and no other preimpact anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6800W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6800W-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 28-20934, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-20934 - Airframe hours: 1882 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2011 - Departed: MGJ, Montgomery, NY - Destination: MGJ, Montgomery, NY - Airport: MGJ, Orange County Airport, runway 26, 3,664 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 3,250 total, 225 in this make and model, 2,820 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 49; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MGJ ## 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 20110927022909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110927022909A), Sep 27, 2011: Piper PA-28-140, Montgomery, NY, Destroyed. On September 27, 2011 at approximately 1935 eastern daylight time, N6800W, a PA-28-140, serial number 28-20934, operated by pilot in command / instructor pilot… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81921. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot/Owner (item 1, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot%2FOwner-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 322 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Flight Instructor Written Statement to FAA (item 3, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Written%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Owner Statement to FAA (item 4, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOwner%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Notes on Examiantion (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355124&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Notes%20on%20Examiantion-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record: Orange County New York Weather (item 6, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355085&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20Orange%20County%20New%20York%20Weather-Master.PDF - PA-28-140 Fuel System (item 7, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355084&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PA-28-140%20Fuel%20System-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355082&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Right Wing Separated in a Tree (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355083&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Right%20Wing%20Separated%20in%20a%20Tree%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-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.