# NTSB FTW97LA132: Piper PA-28-161, N2572Y, Broomfield, CO, March 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 1997, 16:58 local (23:58 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.890434, -105.109939 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8904&lon=-105.1099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20176/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA132 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper use of the fuel tank selector which led to fuel starvation and loss of engine power. Factors were the pilot's inadequate fuel management and the lack of suitable terrain for the 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, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that after practicing 'air work', that he returned to the traffic pattern for landing practice when on an upwind departure, at 50 to 75 feet, the engine lost power. Documentation of flight times in the accident airplane revealed that it had been flown 3.3 hours since it's previous refueling. Examination by an FAA inspector at the accident site, revealed the left tank contained no fuel and the right tank contained five to six gallons of fuel. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1997, at 1658 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, N2572Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Broomfield, Colorado. The student pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Denver Air Center, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo instructional local flight which originated approximately one hour prior to the accident. No flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that he flew a one hour dual instructional flight to renew his 90 day solo sign off. He then flew a solo flight. The pilot reported that he first left the traffic pattern to practice air-work for an hour, and then he returned to the traffic pattern for more touch-and-go landings. After completing his first "touch-an-go" on runway 29L, on takeoff upwind, at approximately 50 to 75 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a rough and uneven field. The engine separated from the mounts, both main gear penetrated their respective wings, the wings were bent, and the fuselage was twisted. Examination of the fuel truck log, for truck pump number "AV Truck #2", revealed that 24.3 gallons of fuel had been delivered to N2572Y on the morning of March 19, 1997. Examination of the aircraft log, for airplane N2572Y for March 19, 1997, disclosed that the airplane had been flown two times prior to the commencement of the accident flight, for a total time of 2.3 hours since last refueled. Examination of the airplane's fuel system by an FAA inspector, revealed that the left tank contained no fuel, the right tank contained five to six gallons of fuel and the structural integrity of the right and left fuel tanks were not compromised. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2572Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2572Y-1997-09-17), registration cancelled 1997-09-17, S/N 288516041 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8516041 - Airframe hours: 6584 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Denver Air Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 1997 - Departed: BJC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 36 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC ## 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 19970319047109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970319047109A), Mar 19, 1997: Piper PA28161, Broomfield, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot allowed aircraft to run out of fuel in left tank and did not switch selector to available fuel in right tank. Pilot was a student pilot on a solo… ## Other investigations on N2572Y (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 LAX90LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA073), Jan 21, 1990: Piper PA-28-161 (N2572Y), Coalinga, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT FOR LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE… 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.