# NTSB LAX94LA164: Piper PA-24-250, N7541P, Selma, CA, March 16, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 1994, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Selma, CA - Coordinates: 36.529617, -119.640945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5296&lon=-119.6409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28698 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28698/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA164 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO SUSTAIN FUEL STARVATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST BY NOT USING THE ELECTRICAL FUEL BOOST PUMP. THE ENGINE FUEL STARVATION WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - fuel boost pump selector position - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT OCCUPYING THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO SUSTAIN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. WHILE EXECUTING THE EMERGENCY CHECK LIST, THE PILOT DID NOT TURN ON THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP AS REQUIRED. THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE POSTACCIDENT RUN-UP. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 1994, at 0845 hours Pacific standard time (PST), a Piper PA-24-250, N7541P, experienced a total loss of engine power and collided with a tree about one-quarter mile east of runway 28 at Selma Airport, Selma, California. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules business flight to Fresno Air Terminal, Fresno, California. The airplane, registered to and operated by Producers Livestock Market Association, Yuma, Arizona, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot/certified flight instructor and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Yuma, Arizona, at 0615 hours PST. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, to the National Transportation Safety Board. In the report, the pilot indicated that the engine sustained a total loss of power at cruise flight at 8,500 feet mean sea level. He immediately began the emergency checklist that included switching the fuel tank selector valve to various positions, but without success. The pilot was unable to restart the engine. During the approach, the pilot observed a "...large lone tree standing almost on the extended centerline of the runway." Realizing that the airplane's altitude was insufficient to make the runway, the pilot elected to strike the tree in a nose-up attitude. The pilot also indicated in the report that he occupied the right front seat. Mr. Gene Sweet, Principal Airworthiness Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Fresno [California] Flight Standards District Office, conducted the on-scene investigation on March 16, 1994. Inspector Sweet reported that an aircraft mechanic said the airplane sustained a total loss of power. After responding to the accident, the mechanic assisted in the removal of the aircraft. Before removing the airplane, the mechanic observed that the fuel selector valve handle was set to the right auxiliary tank. The mechanic repositioned the selector valve handle to the off position and reported that the auxiliary fuel tank was empty. Inspector Sweet said that he found no fuel in the carburetor. The registered owner's insurance adjuster told the Safety Board investigator in a telephone interview conducted on April 22, 1994, that the engine operated normally during the postaccident engine run-up. He also said the passenger told a mechanic conducting the engine run-up that the pilot did change the fuel selector position, but during this time he never reached across him. According to the insurance adjuster, the boost pump switch is located on the left lower side of the instrument panel. The Piper PA-24-250 Owner's Handbook, page 32, states, in part: "The most common cause of engine failure is mismanagement or malfunction of the fuel system...." It then states that "...If changing to the opposite fuel tank does not restore the engine (1) Check fuel pressure and turn on electric fuel pump, if off..." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7541P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7541P-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 24-2747, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2747 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Producers Livestock Mkt Assn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1993 - Departed: YUM, YUMA, AZ - Destination: FAT, FRESNO, CA - Airport: 0Q4, Selma, runway 28, 2,490 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,853 total, 50 in this make and model, 4,687 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19940316005539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940316005539A), Mar 16, 1994: Piper PA24250, Selma, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach to airport. Too low. Hit tree short of runway. Fuel selector empty tank. PIC in right seat. ## Other investigations on N7541P (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 LAX71DUJ44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71DUJ44), Apr 9, 1971: Piper PA-24 (N7541P), Yuma, AZ, substantial damage 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.