# NTSB ERA12LA486: Piper PA-24-250, N6248P, Blacksburg, VA, July 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 2012, 15:09 local (19:09 UTC) - Place: Blacksburg, VA - Coordinates: 37.207778, -80.407775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2078&lon=-80.4078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA486 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84486/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84486 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA486 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## 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-24-250, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102404), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102404), [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. - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102404), [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-24-250, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was approaching the destination airport, and, according to the pilot, the left fuel selector was set to the left main tank and the right fuel selector was set to the right main tank. The engine began to lose power, and the pilot subsequently applied carburetor heat and placed the right fuel selector to the right tip tank position. However, the engine did not regain power. The pilot made a forced landing in the airport parking lot, and the airplane collided with a perimeter fence, resulting in structural wing damage. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that neither of the main fuel tanks contained usable fuel. The right tip tank contained about 7.5 gallons of fuel; however, the fuel selector was placarded with a note stating that the tip tanks were for use in level flight only. With the left main tank selected and no fuel in that tank, air would have been introduced into the fuel system, resulting in fuel starvation. The pilot’s preflight planning indicated an en route time of 2 hours 32 minutes. However, when the loss of power occurred, the flight had been airborne for about 3 hours 39 minutes. The pilot reported that he was not sure if the airplane’s fuel gauges were accurate, so he relied on fuel burn rate calculations during the flight. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2012, about 1509 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6248P, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and collision with a fence at Montgomery Executive Airport (BCB), Blacksburg, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Crestview, Florida (CEW) about 1030 central daylight time. The pilot reported that he was approaching the destination airport for landing when the engine began to lose power. He applied carburetor heat; however, this did not improve engine performance. He switched the right fuel selector from the main to the right tip tank. The engine did not recover. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot attempted a forced landing in the airport parking lot. The airplane touched down in the parking lot and collided with a perimeter fence. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector confirmed substantial damage to the wings. The wreckage was recovered to a local maintenance facility where a subsequent examination of the wreckage was performed. The left tip tank contained a residual amount of fuel. The left and right main tanks were empty of fuel. The right rip tank contained about 7.5 gallons of fuel. The airplane was equipped with a Britton fuel tank modification. There were two fuel selector handles; the left handle was in the “L MAIN” position and the right handle was in the “R TIP” position. A placard was installed on the fuel tank selector panel, stating that tip tanks were for use in level flight only. According to the FAA, the pilot stated that his fuel gauges indicated about one quarter full at the time of the accident; however, he was not sure if they were accurate so he relied on his calculations of fuel burn rate during the flight. The flight plan filed by the pilot indicated an en route time of 2 hours and 32 minutes. When the loss of power occurred, the flight had been airborne for about 3 hours and 39 minutes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6248P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6248P-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 24-1355, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1355 - Airframe hours: 6368 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott Musser - Registered owner: Keller Robert L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2011 - Departed: CEW, Crestview, FL - Destination: BCB, Blacksburg, VA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BCB, Montgomery Executive ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 4,973 total, 6 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BCB ## 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 20120727015649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120727015649A), Jul 27, 2012: Piper PA-24-250, Substantial damage. Aircraft made emergency landing on airport property after experiencing loss of engine power. Touched down in a parking lot hitting a chain link fence. Broke… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84486. 1.2 MB in all. - FAA Inspector Statement (item 1, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Insurance Company Report Submitted by Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 383 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Insurance%20Company%20Report%20Submitted%20by%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Flight Plan Information (item 3, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Plan%20Information-Redacted.PDF - Statement from A & P Mechanic (item 4, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20A%20%26%20P%20Mechanic-Redacted.PDF - Excerpts - Maintenance Logbooks (item 5, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20-%20Maintenance%20Logbooks-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Main Wreckage, Viewed from Left (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Main%20Wreckage,%20Viewed%20from%20Left%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Fuel Tank Selector (FAA Digital Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Fuel%20Tank%20Selector%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum of Record - Failure to Submit NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 8, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Failure%20to%20Submit%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.