# NTSB FTW96LA266: Piper PA-28-151, N40954, Abilene, TX, June 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1996, 20:01 local (Jun 21, 1996, 01:01 UTC) - Place: Abilene, TX - Location: 32.4487° N, 99.7331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abilene, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4487&lon=-99.7331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 26, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19876/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA266 ## Probable cause fuel mismanagement by the pilot, which resulted in fuel starvation; and the pilot's failure to reposition the fuel selector (follow emergency procedure) while attempting to restart the engine. A factor relating to aircraft damage was: concrete debris (rocks) in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40954-2012-06-07), registration cancelled 2012-06-07, S/N 28-7415119, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7415119 - Airframe hours: 5220 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elmdale Airpark, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 23, 1996, 60 hours before - Departed: 6F4, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 109 total, 14 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 104 °F ## 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 19960620014919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960620014919A), Jun 20, 1996: Piper PA28151, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Retarded throttle to practice stall, engine quit. Unable restart. Fuel selector empty tank. Other had 16 gallons. (-23) on June 20, 1996, at 2001 central… 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.