# NTSB LAX90LA028: Piper PA38-112, N25644, Chandler, AZ, November 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1989, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.239395, -111.78022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2394&lon=-111.7802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA028

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY USE THE CHECKLIST AND THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS IMPROPERLY SELECTED TO THE EMPTY TANK.

## 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
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT RETURNED FROM THE PRACTICE AREA TO PERFORM TOUCH-&-GO'S. DURING THE FIRST TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS RELANDED BUT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RWY. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 10 GALS OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25644](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25644-1991-01-22), registration cancelled 1991-01-22, S/N 3881A0033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0033
- Airframe hours: 3703
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 27, 1989, 21 hours before
- Departed: P10
- Destination: P10
- Airport: P10, Chandler Muni, runway 22, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19891108044759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891108044759A), Nov 8, 1989: Piper PA38112, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation after liftoff on a touch and go. Struck a berm on landing. Student failed to switch to fuel tank.

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.

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