# NTSB FTW87FA087: Piper PA-28-140, N4602R, Leakey, TX, March 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1987, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Leakey, TX
- Coordinates: 29.720661, -99.75904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7207&lon=-99.7590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA087

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - switched off (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper, dual student (contributing factor)
  - improper training, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT FLYING PIPER PA-28-140 DEPARTED UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS ON RUNWAY. FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS INADVERTENTLY MOVED TO OFF POSITION BY STUDENT PILOT. AIRCRAFT ENGINE QUIT ON INITIAL CLIMB AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FT AGL. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES FROM AIRPORT. FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SERIOUSLY INJURED, STUDENT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN #840 NOT COMPLIED WITH. SB #840 PROVIDES FOR NEW FUEL SELECTOR VALVE COVER ASSEMBLY AND MATING HANDLE TO REDUCE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL MISMANAGEMENT THROUGH INADVERTENT SELECTION OF THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4602R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4602R-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 28-21350, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21350
- Airframe hours: 3450
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jimmy A. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1986, 12 hours before
- Airport: 49R, Real County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,120 total, 158 in this make and model, 922 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 112 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 19870331007899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870331007899A), Mar 31, 1987: Piper PA28140, Leakey, TX, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation due to an unmodified fuel selector valve. Auto gas used without STC.

## Other investigations on N4602R (2)

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 MIA68D0380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0380), Jan 26, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N4602R), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC66F0555](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0555), Apr 26, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N4602R), Warrensburg, MO, substantial damage

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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