# NTSB ERA14LA105: Piper PA-32RT-300, N36086, Millen, GA, January 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 26, 2014, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Millen, GA - Coordinates: 32.800632, -81.940879 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8006&lon=-81.9409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88716 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88716/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88716 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to fully seat the fuel selector in the left tank position before takeoff, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-32RT-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103215), [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-32RT-300, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner said that the preflight, engine start, run-up, and taxi checks all appeared "normal" with no anomalies noted. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot lowered the landing gear and maneuvered the airplane toward an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck baled hay on the border of the field and came to rest inverted with the wings separated. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector lever was adjacent to the left tank position but that it was out of the left tank detent. Manipulation of the lever revealed smooth operation and positive detents at each position selected. A can of fuel was plumbed into the fuel system, and the propeller and starter were replaced due to impact damage. The engine was then started, and it accelerated smoothly and ran without interruption with no anomalies noted. It is likely that the fuel selector being out of the of left tank detent resulted in reduced fuel flow to the engine and the subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 2014, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N36086, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff in Millen, Georgia. The certificated private pilot/owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed a private grass strip with Baldwin County Airport (MLJ), Midgeville, Georgia as the intended destination.The pilot/owner was interviewed by telephone after he provided a written statement. He said that preflight, start-up, run-up, and taxi checks all appeared "normal" with no anomalies noted. He sat as the airplane idled for several minutes while he made telephone calls, then taxied back to retrieve an item from his wife who handed it to him through the airplane's door as the engine continued to run. The pilot then taxied back into position, performed a before-takeoff check "by the checklist" and took off. After retracting the landing gear during the initial climb, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot lowered the landing gear, and maneuvered the airplane toward an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck baled hay on the border of the field and came to rest inverted with the wings separated. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued September 8, 2012. The pilot reported 808 total hours of flight experience, of which 384 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane was manufactured in 1978 and its most recent annual inspection was completed on March 24, 2013, at 4,359 total aircraft hours. The airplane was recovered from the scene and moved to a recovery facility in Griffin, Georgia, where it was examined by an FAA aviation safety inspector. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector lever was adjacent to the left tank position, but out of the detent. Manipulation of the lever revealed smooth operation and positive detents at each position selected. A can of fuel was plumbed into the fuel system, and the propeller and starter were replaced due to impact damage. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran without interruption, with no anomalies noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36086](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36086-2018-03-12), registration cancelled 2018-03-12, S/N 32R-7885157, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7885157 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 4359 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: H Kyle Gay M D Inc - Registered owner: H Kyle Gay M D Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2013, 11 hours before - Departed: None, Millen, GA - Destination: KMLJ, Milledgeville, GA - Airport: None, Private Strip, runway 36, 3,200 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 808 total, 384 in this make and model, 808 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KAGS, 45 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 20140126001709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140126001709A), Jan 26, 2014: Piper PA-32RT-300, Millen, GA, Destroyed. Pilot complied with preflight inspections, taxi and ground run-up checks all normal. Aircraft departed normal. During climb out, selected gear up. At about… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88716. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Recovery Technician Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Recovery%20Technician%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of View of Airplane Facing Direction of Travel (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Facing%20Direction%20of%20Travel%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of Main Wreckage as Found (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 993 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20as%20Found%20(FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 3 – View of Fuel Selector as Found (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 940 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420478&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Fuel%20Selector%20as%20Found%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - View of Fuel Selector Place in Detent (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 946 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20View%20of%20Fuel%20Selector%20Place%20in%20Detent%20(FAA)%0D%0A-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.