# NTSB SEA85LA163: Piper PA-38-112, N25678, American Falls, ID, July 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1985, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: American Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.720344, -112.989288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7203&lon=-112.9893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA163

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - improper training, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT DEPARTED OGDEN, UT, AT APRX 1130 MDT AND MADE A TOUCH & GO AT BLACK FOOT, ID, AT APRX 135 MDT. THE PLT STATED THE LANDING WAS A LITTLE ROUGH AND DUE TO THE DISTRACTION, HE FORGOT TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AT 1345 MDT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A POTATOE FLD WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED A PRINTED EMERGENCY CHECKLIST WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND HE WAS NOT INSTRUCTED TO MEMORIZE A CHECKLIST FOR ENG FAILURE PROCEDURES WHICH INCLUDES SWITCHING FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N25678 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sunwest Aviation
- Registered owner: Theordore Angel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: U05, BLACKFOOT, ID
- Destination: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 3 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 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 19850713033979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850713033979A), Jul 13, 1985: Piper PA38112, American Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Forgot to switch to other fuel tank. Fuel starvation. Landed in potato field, nosed over. Not trained for emergency.

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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