# NTSB ERA17LA006: Piper PA24, N8560P, Hollywood, AL, October 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 2016, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Hollywood, AL - Coordinates: 34.692222, -86.010002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6922&lon=-86.0100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94169/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94169 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA006 ## Probable cause A failure of the fuel tank selector valve in a partially closed position, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and a total 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 · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03020000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102406), [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-24-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102406), [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-24-260, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was accomplishing a flight review with his flight instructor seated in the right cockpit seat. Ground operations and the engine run-up were normal. After climbing to 3,000 ft mean sea level, the pilot retarded the throttle and the engine lost total power, with no pressure observed on the fuel pressure gauge. The flight instructor assumed the controls, established best glide speed, and performed a forced landing in a field. After touchdown, the airplane struck an embankment before coming to rest on a dirt road. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure of the engine that would have precluded normal operation. All fuel tanks contained an adequate supply of fuel. However, examination of the fuel tank selector valve revealed that the valve was stuck in the partially closed position, which would have restricted fuel flow to the engine. Moving the tank selector handle did not open the valve. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 2016, about 1015 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N8560P, was substantially damaged following a total loss of engine power and forced landing near Hollywood, Alabama. The commercial pilot and a flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Scottsboro Municipal Airport (4A6), Scottsboro, Alabama, about 1000.The pilot reported that he was accomplishing a flight review and his flight instructor was in the right cockpit seat. Ground operations and the engine run-up were normal. The pilot performed the takeoff and continued on runway heading to 3,000 ft mean sea level. Once level at 3,000 feet, the pilot retarded the throttle to 22-23 inches of manifold pressure. Immediately after retarding the throttle, the engine lost all power. The electric boost pump was turned on; however, the engine did not recover. There was no pressure observed on the fuel pressure gauge. The flight instructor assumed the controls and established best glide speed. A field was chosen for a forced landing and the flight instructor landed the airplane. After touchdown, the airplane struck an embankment before coming to a stop on a dirt road. The pilot and flight instructor exited the airplane and were met by first responders. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. There was structural damage to the wings and the engine firewall. One propeller blade was straight and the other was bent aft. The inspector examined the engine and found no evidence of a mechanical failure or anomaly. Internal engine continuity was confirmed. Compression and suction were observed on all cylinders and valve action was correct. There was an adequate supply of oil in the engine case. All fuel tanks contained an adequate supply of fuel. Examination of the fuel selector valve revealed that the valve was stuck in the partially closed position, restricting fuel flow to the engine. Moving the tank selector handle did not open the valve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8560P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8560P-2019-03-23), registration cancelled 2019-03-23, S/N 24-4017, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA24 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4017 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 4076 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 4A6, Scottsboro, AL - Destination: 4A6, Scottsboro, AL - Airport: 4A6, Scottsboro Municipal - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 946 total, 638 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 73; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 13, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 23,000 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: 4A6, 4 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 20161006017369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161006017369A), Oct 6, 2016: Piper PA-24-260, Scottsboro, AL, Substantial damage. On October 6, 2016, the pilot of N8560P was flying in the local area of Scottsboro, Alabama. During the flight the fuel flow to the engine decreased and the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94169. 3.7 MB in all. - Written Statement - Jones (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20-%20Jones-Master.PDF - Written Statement - Cousins (item 2, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20-%20Cousins-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum for Record - Jones (item 3, .PDF, 876 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Jones-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum for Record - Clark (item 4, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Clark-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 6 photos, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469246&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. --- 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.