FTW96LA266

The pilot was flying with the fuel selector in the 'Left Tank' position, when the engine lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and the airplane was landed at an abandoned airport. During the landing, the left main gear struck a pile of concrete debris, and subsequently, the left wing separated from the fuselage. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank contained less than 1 gallon of fuel, and the right fuel tank contained approximately 16 gallons of fuel. The fuel line from the left tank to the fuselage had been compromised during the accident; however, there was no evidence of spilled fuel. With the fuel selector in the 'Right Tank' position, the engine was started, and it ran normally.

On June 20, 1996, at 2001 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N40954, registered to and operated by Elmdale Airpark, Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Abilene, Texas. The private pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed.

According to the pilot, before departing Elmdale Airpark at 1845, he conducted a pre-flight check on the airplane which included checking the fuel level in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that both of the fuel tanks were filled to the bottom of their respective filler necks. According to the inspector, that would indicate approximately 17 gallons of fuel per side.

The pilot reported that he flew to Bronte, Texas, and half way to Bronte, he switched the fuel selector from the "Left Tank" position to the "Right Tank" position. After circling Bronte twice, the pilot flew back to Elmdale Airpark, and half way back to Elmdale Airpark, he switched the fuel selector back to the "Left Tank" position.

The passenger reported that the pilot stated that he was going to do a stall. The pilot reported that when he pulled the power back to the "Idle" position, the engine lost power. He further reported that he tried the starter twice, but the engine did not restart. A forced landing was made to an abandoned airport. The left main gear struck a pile of concrete debris, and subsequently, the left wing separated from the fuselage.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector "revealed less than 1 gallon of fuel in the damaged left tank, and approximately 16 gallons of fuel in the right tank." The left wing fuel tank was not compromised; however, the fuel line between the tank and fuselage was separated. According to the inspector, no evidence of fuel spillage could be found. The fuel selector was found in the "Left Tank" position. When the fuel selector was placed in the "Right Tank" position, the engine "started and ran normally."