NYC99LA105

The pilot was flying a practice approach to an airstrip he was constructing on his land, and that was incomplete. The fuel selector was switched from the left to the right tank, about 5 minutes before arriving at the airstrip. After flying about two thirds down the runway, the pilot added power, and began a climb. The engine then lost power. As the pilot pulled sharply back on the controls to avoid obstacles, the airplane stalled, and impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed the right wing fuel tank was empty, and 1 pint of fuel was drained from the auxiliary fuel tank. The left tank contained approximately 15 gallons of fuel. The fuel selector, located in the cockpit, was found in a position, in-between the left and right fuel tank settings. The operating instructions section of the Piper Tri-Pacer owners handbook stated that, 'Before take-off, it is very important that the fuel selector be checked to make sure it is on the proper tank.' Additionally, the handbook cautioned, 'When fuel quantity in right tank is 1/3 or less use only in level flight.'

On May 3, 1999, about 1230 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2716P, impacted the ground during a climb from a private airstrip, near Oswego, New York. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot was constructing a private airstrip on his land. The pilot decided to make a practice approach to the uncompleted airstrip, from north to south. Fuel was switched from the left to the right tank, about 5 minutes before arriving at the airstrip. The approach was flown at about 75 feet above the ground, at 80 MPH, and 1800 Rpm's. After flying about two thirds down the runway, the pilot added power, and began a climb. The engine then went to idle. The pilot pulled sharply back on the controls, to "zoom" over trees and power lines, located at the departure end of the strip. As the airplane crossed over the obstacles, it stalled, impacted the ground, and came to rest nose down, in a gravel pit.

After the accident the pilot noticed that the ELT had not been activated by the impact, and manually set it off. The Trenton Rescue Center, located in Canada, picked up the signal from the ELT, and notified a Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue C-130, due to it's close proximity to the signal. The C-130 arrived over the scene 15 minutes after notification, located the wreckage, and egressed 2 military paramedics via parachute to the wreckage. The pilot was treated at the scene for his injuries, and a Canadian Air Force Sea King, which was also dispatched to the scene to recover the pilot, transported him to Syracuse International Airport. The pilot was then transported by ambulance to a medical facility.

FAA Inspectors examined the wreckage the day after the accident. The right wing fuel tank was observed to be empty, and 1 pint of liquid, similar to 80 octane auto gas, was drained from the auxiliary fuel tank. The left tank contained approximately 15 gallons of liquid, similar to 100 low lead aviation fuel. The fuel selector, located in the cockpit, was found in a position, in-between the left and right fuel tank settings.

The operating instructions section of the Piper Tri-Pacer owners handbook stated that, "Before take-off, it is very important that the fuel selector be checked to make sure it is on the proper tank." Additionally, the handbook cautions, "When fuel quantity in right tank is 1/3 or less use only in level flight."