# NTSB FTW00LA202: Piper PA-28-235, N9407W, Sugar Land, TX, June 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 2000, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Sugar Land, TX - Coordinates: 29.610416, -95.60926 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6104&lon=-95.6093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49672 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49672/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA202 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis After departure, the airplane was climbing through 1,500 feet, when the engine 'spooled down.' The pilot stated that he pushed the engine controls forward and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump; however, he did not detect a change in engine power. The pilot elected to make a forced landing in a field approximately 2 miles from the departure airport. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear impacted an ant hill and separated. The FAA inspector found the fuel selector in the off position. He added that he found the left auxiliary fuel tank 'completely empty,' the left and right main fuel tanks full, and the right auxiliary fuel tank containing 3.5 gallons of fuel. The airplane was taken to an aircraft maintenance facility where mechanics test ran the engine on the airplane. The mechanics reported that the engine would not start and run with the left auxiliary fuel tank selected; however, the engine started and ran for approximately 15 minutes on each of the remaining fuel tanks. The FAA inspector stated that the pilot indicated that he thought he had taken off with the left main fuel tank selected. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2000, at 1720 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235 airplane, N9407W, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Sugar Land, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. The instrument rated private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Sugar Land Municipal Airport approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident, and was destined for the West Houston Airport, Houston, Texas. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he departed the Sugar Land Municipal Airport and the airplane was climbing through 1,500 feet, when the engine "spooled down." The pilot stated that he pushed the engine controls forward and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump; however, he did not detect a change in engine power. The pilot elected to make a forced landing in a field approximately 2 miles from the departure airport. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear impacted an ant hill resulting in the separation of the left main landing gear. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that he found the fuel selector in the off position. The inspector stated that he found the left auxiliary fuel tank "completely empty," the left and right main fuel tanks full, and the right auxiliary fuel tank containing 3.5 gallons of fuel. The airplane was taken to an aircraft maintenance facility in Houston. The FAA inspector stated that the mechanics test ran the engine on the airplane. The mechanics reported that the engine would not start and run with the left auxiliary fuel tank selected; however, the engine started and ran approximately 15 minutes on each of the remaining fuel tanks. The mechanics also reported that the left wing spar was structurally damaged. The FAA inspector stated that the pilot indicated that he thought he had taken off with the left main fuel tank selected. The pilot reported that he had a total of 9 flight hours in the accident airplane and 767 total flight hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9407W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9407W), registered now, S/N 28-11114, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-11114 - Airframe hours: 3492 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harold E. Armstrong - Registered owner: J. K. Munnerlyn Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2000 - Departed: SGR - Destination: IWS, HOUSTON, TX - Airport: SGR, Sugar Land Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 767 total, 9 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SGR, 3 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 20000608009869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000608009869A), Jun 8, 2000: Piper PA28235, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Piper N9407W was clearing for takeoff on rwy 17, sgr. And made a left downwind departure to the north, the PIC reported to sgr twr that the engine lost… 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.