# NTSB ERA16CA011: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N300KG, Salisbury, NC, October 13, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 12, 2015, 21:30 local (Oct 13, 2015, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Salisbury, NC
- Coordinates: 35.645832, -80.520278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6458&lon=-80.5203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO EA-68
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92158/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92158
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA011

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent switching of the fuel selector to the "off" position on final approach, 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.

- [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-32RT-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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-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)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7103215), [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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: 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)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: 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)
- [Landing: 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 stated he had an uneventful cross-country flight and on the downwind leg of the destination airport traffic pattern, he switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank and turned on the boost pump. While on short final approach, the engine started losing power as the airplane was approximately 75 feet above ground level. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain about 600 feet short of the runway and came to rest upright. The pilot further stated that at the time of the engine power loss, he pushed all the controls, mixture, propeller, and throttle full forward and the engine rpm started to increase, but then quickly decreased again. The pilot then shut-off the master switch and walked to the fixed based operator to get help. He then walked back to the airplane, shut the ignition off and took his keys and headset out of the airplane. The pilot added that he did not touch the fuel selector. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the wings, landing gear, and stabilator. The inspector also noted that although adequate fuel remained in both fuel tanks, the airplane fuel selector was in the "off" position. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated he had an uneventful cross-country flight and on the downwind leg of the destination airport traffic pattern, he switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank and turned on the boost pump. While on short final approach, the engine started losing power as the airplane was approximately 75 feet above ground level. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain about 600 feet short of the runway and came to rest upright. The pilot further stated that at the time of the engine power loss, he pushed all the controls, mixture, propeller, and throttle full forward and the engine rpm started to increase, but then quickly decreased again. The pilot then shut-off the master switch and walked to the fixed based operator to get help. He then walked back to the airplane, shut the ignition off and took his keys and headset out of the airplane. The pilot added that he did not touch the fuel selector. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the wings, landing gear, and stabilator. The inspector also noted that although adequate fuel remained in both fuel tanks, the airplane fuel selector was in the "off" position. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300KG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300KG-2023-03-04), registration cancelled 2023-03-04, S/N 32R-7985040 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T
- 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-7985040
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 5406.6
- Engines: Lycomong IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Griggs R Kevin
- Registered owner: Griggs R Kevin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2015
- Departed: CUB, Columbia, SC
- Destination: RUQ, Salisbury, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RUQ, Rowan County, runway 20, 5,501 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,620 total, 1,049 in this make and model, 1,557 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KRUQ

## 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 20151012022849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151012022849A), Oct 12, 2015: Piper PA-32RT-300, Salisbury, NC, Substantial damage. During the landing phase the pilot stated that he switched from the right to left fuel tank and may have inadvertently gone all the way to the off position. On…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92158. 12.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 10.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- FAA Telephone Interview with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Telephone%20Interview%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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