# NTSB NYC02LA021: Piper PA-22-108, N5207Z, Roanoke, VA, November 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 2001, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Roanoke, VA - Coordinates: 37.352779, -79.93 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3528&lon=-79.9300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA021 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot ensure the proper position of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the improper placement of the fuel selector valve tank index, and the improper in-flight decision of the pilot to change tanks in accordance with the owner's manual. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel tank selector position - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis While on departure climb, and less than 1,000 feet above the ground, the pilot moved the fuel selector from the left (main) fuel tank to the right (aux) fuel tank. The engine quit, and the pilot reported he did not have time to focus on the engine out, but only time for the forced landing. The airplane struck a detached garage, and came to rest inverted near a residence. The index plate for the fuel selector was found improperly secured, and obscured the tank index position marks. The pilot reported that it was turbulent when he changed tanks and could not verifying the position of the fuel tank selector or feel its detent. The right tank was placarded use in level flight only. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 2001, about 1245 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-108, N5207Z, was substantially damaged, when it made a forced landing about 4 miles east-northeast of Roanoke Regional Airport, Roanoke, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane was equipped with two fuel tanks, one in each wing, which had a capacity of 18 gallons each. The left fuel tank was designated the main fuel tank, and the right fuel tank was designated as the auxiliary fuel tank. The pilot had departed from New London Airport, Forest, Virginia, with full tanks, and flew to Roanoke on the left fuel tank. The takeoff from Roanoke for the return flight to New London was also conducted on the left tank. However, while climbing, and less than 1,000 feet above the ground, the pilot switched to the right fuel tank. Within 2 minutes, the engine lost power. The pilot described the power loss as smooth, with no sputtering, backfiring, or hesitation. The pilot further stated that he did not have time to focus on the power loss, as he was losing altitude, and he needed to set up for a forced landing. He reported that he did not return the fuel selector to the left tank. The airplane struck the edge of a detached garage with the wing, then the ground behind a residence, and came to rest inverted. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane was still inverted when he examined it. The fuel tanks had been drained due to leaks from the fuel caps. The fuel selector was on the right fuel tank. The carburetor was separated from the engine and had impact damage. The main fuel strainer was absent of debris. The airplane was subsequently moved to a nearby airport for further examination. In a follow-up investigation of the airplane the FAA inspector wrote: "..A review of the Piper Cold (PA 22) owners handbook, section II FUEL SYSTEM, states the AUX tank must be used in LEVEL FLIGHT ONLY...Engine rotation was checked with all ignition systems, engine drive systems, exhaust system, intake system, oil system, and fuel delivery checking normal. The fuel selector outer position ring...was noted as not secure and tank position was difficult to check, or verify. The outer ring has previously been incorrectly attached to the aircraft upholstery with out benefit of the correct location of a backing plate...to positively secure the outer position ring to the aircraft. Each detent of the selector valve...however could be felt but the selector pointer handle obscures the tank position index mark...and the pilot stated he was in turbulence when he switched tanks could not verify or feel the correct detent. He felt it was possible he overran slightly the intended tank selection. A slight overrun was introduced and fuel supply to the engine was blocked as a result." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5207Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5207Z-2003-11-01), registration cancelled 2003-11-01, S/N 22-8877, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (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: 22-8877 - Airframe hours: 2888 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2001, 3 hours before - Departed: ROA, Roanoke, VA - Destination: W90, New London, VA - Airport: ROA, Roanoke Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 7, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 267 total, 216 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: ROA, 4 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 20011103031939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011103031939A), Nov 3, 2001: Piper PA22108, Roanoke, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) N5207Z, a Piper pa 22 series aircraft departed Roanoke, VA. (Roa) on 11/03/01 at 12:40 local, VFR, enroute to new london airport, VA. (W90). On climb out… 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.