FTW95LA070

The airplane experienced a power loss due to fuel starvation during an instructional instrument cross country flight. They were entering the traffic pattern of their destination airport when the power loss occurred. The instructor pilot identified the problem, but there was insufficient altitude (time) for the student to understand what needed to be done and accomplish the needed movement of the fuel selector to the other tank. A night forced landing was executed in a field with a ditch and the aircraft collided with the ditch during roll-out.

On December 21, 1994, at 1857 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N2874R, was substantially damaged during a night forced landing near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The private pilot and the instrument instructor pilot received minor injuries, while their passenger was seriously injured. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instrument instructional cross country flight.

The enclosed Pilot/Operator reports contained the following information. The instrument training flight took off at approximately 1730 and was returning to its starting point. The flight was within 2 miles of the field when the engine lost power.

The instructor pilot stated "I realized that the probable cause of our engine failure was due to fuel starvation." She attempted to reach the fuel selector to switch tanks, but was unable. She further stated that she directed the student pilot to switch tanks, but the pilot was also unable due to the dimly lit cockpit and his unfamiliarity with the aircraft. Because of the dark night conditions, a field with a ditch was selected for the forced landing. The airplane collided with the ditch during roll-out.