# NTSB FTW00LA263: Piper PA-32-260, N3869W, Clinton, OK, June 3, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 3, 2000, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Clinton, OK - Coordinates: 35.500404, -98.970939 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5004&lon=-98.9709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50298 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50298/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper setting of the cockpit fuel selector, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The airplane was executing a VFR approach, turning from the base leg to short final, when the engine lost total power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane touched down in a field short of the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop upright. The pilot reported to the FAA that 'he was not sure if the fuel selector was in the detent for the selected tank and he did not have time to check prior to landing.' ## Factual narrative On June 3, 2000, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N3869W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at the Clinton Municipal Airport, near Clinton, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, and his passenger were 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 Clinton Municipal Airport. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane was turning from the "base leg to short final" for runway 17 when the engine lost total power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane touched down in a field short of the runway and impacted a dirt terrace. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop upright. Following the accident, the pilot reported that, "he was not sure if the fuel selector was in the detent for the selected tank and he did not have time to check prior to landing." The FAA inspector reported that the engine firewall was structurally damaged, and both wings were compromised at their respective attaching points to the fuselage. There was also damage to the "structure at the main landing gear attach points." This damage was initially reported to the NTSB as minor. Subsequently, on October 3, 2000, the damage was reported as substantial. Additionally, multiple attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, from the pilot/owner were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3869W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3869W-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 32-814, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-814 - Airframe hours: 5800 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clifford D. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CLK, CLINTON, OK - Airport: CLK, Clinton Municipal, runway 17, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAW, 60 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 20000603014579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000603014579A), Jun 3, 2000: Piper PA32260, Clinton, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) When banking a/c in the base leg of short final to Clinton muni airport the engine quit. Pilot switched fuel tanks but the engine would not restart.… ## Other investigations on N3869W (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN20LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA208), Jun 3, 2020: Piper PA32 (N3869W), Fargo, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the engine driven fuel pump which led to a fuel leak and subsequent fire in the engine compartment. 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.