# NTSB LAX08LA107: Piper PA-30, N8442Y, Holbrook, AZ, April 15, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 15, 2008, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Holbrook, AZ - Coordinates: 34.711387, -110.27111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7114&lon=-110.2711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67825/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA107 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's fuel system mismanagement and incorrect positioning of the fuel selector valves. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to takeoff the two main fuel tanks were full to the bottom of the fill cap and the two auxiliary tanks had approximately 8 gallons in each side. About 40 minutes into the flight, and descending to the destination, the right engine lost power. The pilot stated that he did not immediately feather the prop and shut the engine down because it appeared to be a fuel starvation problem. The pilot was attempting to restart the right engine when the left engine lost power. Unable to reach the airport, the pilot initiated a gear-up forced landing to an open field. The airplane landed hard, damaging the fuselage. Recovery personnel reported that the main fuel tanks contained about 27 gallons of fuel each, while the auxiliary tanks were empty. Postaccident inspection of the engines revealed that the fuel lines leading to the engines were dry. The right engine crankshaft's flange was bent, but a test run of the left engine indicated that the engine operated normally. Evidence indicates that the pilot improperly positioned the fuel selectors so that they were on the auxiliary tanks instead of the main fuel tanks. The auxiliary tanks ran dry and the engines lost power due to fuel starvation. The pilot indicated to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he had difficulty viewing the fuel selectors on the floor between the seats. ## Factual narrative On April 15, 2008, approximately 0820 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-30, N8442Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Holbrook, Arizona. The private pilot received serious injuries and his pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. Environmental Technology Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, was operating the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight, which originated from Mesa, Arizona, approximately 50 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed, but the pilot reported that his destination was Holbrook, Arizona. The pilot stated, in his initial interview and in his written statement, that the two main fuel tanks were "full to the bottom of the fill cap and the two inboard tanks had approximately 8 gallons in each side." The pilot reported that approximately 40 minutes into the flight they were descending towards their destination when the right engine lost power. The pilot stated that, "I did not immediately feather the prop and shut down the engine because it appeared to be a fuel starvation problem and I thought I could probably get the engine started again." While the pilot was attempting to restart the right engine without success, the left engine lost power. Due to the low altitude, the pilot decided to land the airplane in a field. The pilot rated passenger reported that the forced landing was well controlled, but the gear up touchdown was hard and the terrain was very rough. The airplane's empennage was bent down, and the nose was wrinkled up and back at the forward door support. The aircraft salvage team personnel who recovered the airplane reported that they drained 27 gallons of fuel from each of the main tanks. Both auxiliary and wing tip tanks were empty. The right side fuel selector was located at 12 o'clock (between the MAIN and AUX positions) and the left side fuel selector was found at 3 o'clock, which is the cross-feed position. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the fuel lines leading to the engines were dry. The right engine crankshaft's flange was bent, but a test run of the left engine was successful. In the aircraft's Service Manual, the manufacturer states that each wing had a main inboard fuel tank that held 30 gallons [27 usable], an auxiliary outboard fuel tank that held 15 gallons and a wing tip tank that held 15 gallons of fuel. Each engine's fuel selector is appropriately labeled LEFT and RIGHT, respectively, at their 12 o'clock location. Each MAIN tank selection points inboard, i.e., the left selector is at 1:30 position and the right selector is at 10:30 position. Conversely, during AUX tank use the two selectors point outboard, i.e., the left selector should be at the 10:30 position and the right selector should be at the 1:30 position. Additionally, the AUX selected position states LEVEL FLT. ONLY. A separate switch operates an electrically actuated valve, which permits the wing tip fuel to drain into the main tank. The owner of the airplane said that the pilot had "a lot" of time in Cessna 421s. The Cessna 421 fuel tank selectors operate differently. The left engine's main tank fuel selection is at 10:30 and the right engine's main tank fuel selection is at 1:30. The owner believes that the pilot improperly positioned the fuel selectors so that they were on the aux tanks instead of the main tanks. The pilot reported 3,478 hours in multi-engine airplanes, with 12 hours in the make and model airplane involved in the accident. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot stated he had difficulty viewing the fuel selectors on the floor between the seats. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8442Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8442Y-2010-01-14), registration cancelled 2010-01-14, S/N 30-1602, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-1602 - Airframe hours: 3290 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-C1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Environmental Technology Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2007 - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: P14, Holbrook, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 6,782 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: INW, 20 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 20080415842529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080415842529A), Apr 15, 2008: Piper PA30, Holbrook, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 15, 2008, at about 0820 MST, N8224Y, a PA-30, landed with gear up approximately 12.5 miles se of Holbrook, AZ, causing substantial damage 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.