# NTSB ERA20LA164: Piper PA32RT, N772SG, Meridianville, AL, April 27, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 27, 2020, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Meridianville, AL - Coordinates: 34.845832, -86.557777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8458&lon=-86.5578&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101214/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101214 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's slip maneuver with a less than full fuel tank selected, which resulted in unporting of the fuel supply, and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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-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 distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=7103215), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/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: 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) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: 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) - [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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during approach, the airplane was too fast and high, so he performed a slip maneuver to increase the descent rate. The pilot then added power to arrest the descent rate; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field about 1,600 ft short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Twenty-five gallons of fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank and 7 gallons of fuel was recovered from the right fuel tank. The fuel tank selector valve was positioned to the right tank. The engine was successfully started and run at idle power following the accident and no anomalies were noted. The pilot’s operating handbook stated that certain extreme maneuvers, including slip maneuvers, could result in unporting of the fuel supply if the selected fuel tank is not full. It is likely that the fuel unported from the right fuel tank during the slip maneuver, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 2020, at 1735 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N772SG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Meridianville, Tennessee. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while on final approach to runway 36, he determined that the airplane was too high and too fast, so he reduced the engine power to idle and performed a forward slip to the left for about 5 seconds. He then applied engine power to arrest the descent rate; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot stated that there was little time to perform remedial actions to restore power, although he did check the fuel pump and cycle the throttle before executing a forced landing in the field leading up to the runway. Postaccident, the pilot reported that he "may have unported the fuel uptake during the slip." He reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the loss the engine power on final approach. Inspection of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was intact and came to rest upright in the field about 1,600 ft from the runway threshold. Both wings sustained substantial damage. During recovery, 25 and 7 gallons of fuel were removed from the airplane's right and left fuel tanks, respectively. The fuel selector was positioned to the right fuel tank. The engine was successfully started twice and allowed to idle during post accident examination. Higher power settings were not attempted due to safety concerns. No anomalies were noted with the engine during the examination. The airplane's pilot operating handbook stated in part: The shape of the wing fuel tanks is such that in certain maneuvers the fuel may move away from the tank outlet. If the outlet is uncovered, the fuel flow will be interrupted and a temporary loss of power may result. Pilots can prevent inadvertent uncovering of the outlet by avoiding maneuvers which could result in uncovering the outlet. Prolonged slips or skids which result in excess of 2000 ft of altitude loss, or other radical or extreme maneuvers which could cause uncovering of the fuel outlet must be avoided as fuel flow interruption may occur when tank being used is not full. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N772SG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N772SG-2020-12-04), registration cancelled 2020-12-04, S/N 32R-7885249, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32RT (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (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: 32R-7885249 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 5968.34 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2019, 310 hours before - Departed: ECP, Panama City, FL - Destination: MDQ, Meridianville, AL - Airport: MDQ, Huntsville Executive Tom Sharp, runway 36, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 207.5 total, 147.6 in this make and model, 105.4 as pilot in command, 20.2 in the last 90 days, 17.7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: MDQ, 1 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 20200427004229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200427004229A), Apr 27, 2020: Piper PA-32RT-300, Meridianville, AL, Destroyed. Aircraft N772SG was on approach to madison county airport (mdq)when the pilot realized he was too high. The pilot introduced a slip maneuver to lower his… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 17, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101214. 9.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9777166&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA20LA164%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9777830&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9778536&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20ASI-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from POH (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 412 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9777175&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N772SG%20POH%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf - Engine examination memo (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9778341&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA20LA164%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9778025&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA20LA164%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 938 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9777839&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20NTSB%20Release_Redacted-Rel.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.