# NTSB FTW98LA305: Piper PA-22-135, N1279C, San Angelo, TX, July 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1998, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: San Angelo, TX - Coordinates: 31.28086, -100.410522 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2809&lon=-100.4105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20675 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20675/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA305 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector. A factor was 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, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - construction area - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during a forced landing to a construction area following a loss of engine power in cruise flight. At the accident site, an FAA inspector found the left fuel tank empty and the fuel selector in the off position. A mechanic, who arrived at the site before the inspector, stated that he turned the selector off. In a written statement, the pilot did not mention selecting a different fuel tank following the power loss. In two interviews, the pilot made conflicting statements as to whether she had switched fuel tanks. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. After the impact damaged lower half of the carburetor was replaced, the engine was run on a test stand for about 10 minutes at various power settings. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1998, at 0845 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135 airplane, N1279C, registered to and operated by a private individual, nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near San Angelo, Texas. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal cross country flight that departed Mathis Field Airport in San Angelo at 0820 with an intended destination of Midland, Texas. In a written statement, the pilot reported that on departure from San Angelo, the airplane "had a half tank of fuel in the right wing and about a third of a tank in the left." The engine "cut back to idle power" when the airplane was approximately 15 nautical miles from the airport. The pilot manipulated the mixture and throttle controls, and the engine "surged back to full power." She turned back towards the airport, and "a couple of minutes later, the engine cut back to idle power again." Pumping the throttle restored power; however, after "a couple of minutes," the engine again lost power. During the ensuing forced landing in a construction area, the airplane's nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over and came to a stop in the inverted position. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and reported that the left wing sustained structural damage and the top of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed. He further reported that there was "no gas detected in the left tank at the accident site," and the fuel selector was found "in the off position." According to the inspector, the "pilot's mechanic," who arrived at the site before him, "stated that he had moved the fuel selector to the off position." The FAA inspector interviewed the pilot on the day of the accident and reported that she stated "the left gas tank was 1/4 full of gas and the right tank was 1/2 full of gas" when the flight departed from San Angelo. After the inspector informed the pilot that he found the left tank empty, "she stated that she was flying on the right tank." The inspector also asked the pilot if she had tried to select a different tank when the engine quit, and she answered "yes." An aircraft mechanic, who had recently overhauled the airplane's engine, reported that he arrived at the accident site before the FAA inspector arrived. He stated that he asked the pilot if, following the partial power loss, she had tried selecting a different fuel tank, and she responded that "she did not think to do that at the time." Review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the engine, a Lycoming O-320-B2B, S/N L2373-39, was installed in the airplane on July 1, 1998, following a major overhaul. On July 2, 1998, the engine was removed for repair of the tachometer drive, and reinstalled on July 6, 1998. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 1.5 hours since major overhaul. On July 16, 1998, an FAA inspector examined the engine and concluded that it was "capable of operation if it was installed on an engine run up test stand." Following this examination, the airplane was released to the owner. Approximately one month later, the insurance adjuster assigned to the accident contacted the NTSB investigator-in-charge and reported that on August 8, 1998, the engine was run on a test stand for approximately 10 minutes at various power settings. Prior to running the engine, the impact damaged lower half of the carburetor was replaced. The original propeller, exhaust system, and magnetos were used for the engine run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1279C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1279C-2001-05-18), registration cancelled 2001-05-18, S/N 22-1075 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-1075 - Airframe hours: 3112 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond O. Kotrla - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: SJT - Destination: MAF, MIDLAND, TX - Airport: SJT, Mathis Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 134 total, 52 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19980709016329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980709016329A), Jul 9, 1998: Piper PA22135, San Angelo, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane nosed over during a forced landing to a construction area following a loss of engine power in cruise flight. At the accident site, an FAA… 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.