# NTSB LAX00LA264: Piper PA-38-112, N2466D, Selma, CA, July 12, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 2000, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Selma, CA - Coordinates: 36.529632, -119.640281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5296&lon=-119.6403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49712 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49712/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA264 ## Probable cause A cracked plastic fuel selector handle that precluded proper engagement of the internal mechanism to fully select a port, and left it in an intermediate position, restricting the fuel supply to the engine, which subsequently lead to a loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,selector/valve - cracked (cause) - fuel system,selector/valve - movement restricted (cause) - fuel supply - restricted (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis During a touch-and-go takeoff the student pilot switched the fuel selector to the opposite tank, and the engine quit. The CFI took the controls and made an off-airport landing in a vineyard at the departure end of the runway. During the on-scene inspection of the airframe, a functional check of the fuel system was conducted. When the master switch was engaged and the electric boost pump placed in the ON position, it was noted that the pump was working, but there was no fuel pressure observed or fuel found in the gascolator. An inspection was then conducted on the fuel selector valve. After removal, the valve was found in-between the left and right port openings, and the fuel valve control rod could not be turned manually. The plastic fuel selector handle was removed and found cracked. The brass insert that is housed in the fuel selector handle and attaches to the fuel valve control rod would not engage completely inside the plastic handle. There were no previous signs of cracks in the plastic fuel selector handle. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 2000, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2466D, lost engine power while conducting a go-around after a simulated engine out procedure at the Selma Airport, Selma, California. The airplane subsequently touched down in a vineyard and collided with ground obstructions. The airplane was operated by Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc., d.b.a. Mazzei Flying Service, under 14 CFR Part 91 as an instructional flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was scheduled to terminate at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California. In an interview with an investigator from the Safety Board, the CFI stated that they had been practicing simulated engine out procedures at Selma that concluded with the student pilot performing a touch-and-go takeoff. He stated that company procedure was to switch to the fullest tank prior to takeoff. He further reported that the process for conducting the engine out maneuver was to reduce the throttle, and conduct the emergency checklist. No discrepancies were noted with the first two engine out maneuvers. On the third engine out, at 1,700 feet above ground level (agl), the CFI reduced the throttle, and the student descended to the runway. On the takeoff, the student pilot switched the fuel selector handle, and the engine quit. The CFI took the flight controls, retracted the flaps, switched the fuel selector handle back to its original position, and made an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine. The CFI reported that he made an off airport landing in a vineyard at the departure end of the runway. The airplane was inspected on-scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and an FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic. Fuel was found in both tanks; however, the fuel selector handle was found in the "OFF" position. The CFI informed the inspector that he had turned the fuel selector handle to the "OFF" position during the evacuation. The inspector and mechanic engaged the master switch, and the electric fuel boost pump was placed in the "ON" position. It was noted that the boost pump was working, but there was no fuel pressure or fuel present in the gascolator. The FAA inspector and mechanic conducted an inspection of the fuel selector valve. The valve position was found in the middle of the left and right port openings, and the fuel valve control rod was unable to be turned manually. The fuel selector plastic handle was removed and found cracked completely through. The inspector and mechanic also found that the brass insert housed in the fuel selector handle that attaches to the fuel valve control rod was "slipping" in the plastic handle. The inspector stated that the pilots would not have been able to tell that the fuel valve was in an intermediate position in correlation to the fuel selector handle position inside the cockpit. He further indicated that there were no previous signs of cracks in the plastic fuel selector handle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2466D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2466D-2012-06-28), registration cancelled 2012-06-28, S/N 38-79A0324, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-79A0324 - Airframe hours: 4068 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Mazzei Flying Service - Registered owner: Roger Rouse - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2000, 73 hours before - Departed: 0Q4 - Destination: FAT, FRESNO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 295 total, 224 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 194 °F, dew point 131 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT, 14 nm away ## 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 20000712006879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000712006879A), Jul 12, 2000: Piper PA38112, Selma, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was in the airport traffic pattern on downwind when the CFI changed the fuel selector to the fullest tank. The aircraft completed a touch… ## Other investigations on N2466D (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 WPR12LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA055), Dec 7, 2011: Piper PA-38-112 (N2466D), Davis, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. 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.