# NTSB WPR12CA340: Piper PA-22-160, N3442Z, McKinleyville, CA, August 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 1, 2012, 18:55 local (Aug 2, 2012, 01:55 UTC) - Place: McKinleyville, CA - Coordinates: 40.952777, -124.09333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9528&lon=-124.0933&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84555 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA340 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84555/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84555 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA340 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model and his lack of knowledge regarding the fuel system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that he had just acquired the airplane and was flying his first cross-country flight in it. He was not monitoring the fuel quantity in the left and right fuel tanks, because he thought the fuel selector was positioned to both tanks. However, the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank for the entire trip. On short final at his destination, the airplane’s engine lost power due to fuel starvation. The pilot performed a forced landing, which bent and wrinkled the fuselage and wings. The pilot had a total flight time of about 150 hours of which only 5 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative The pilot said that he had just acquired the airplane and was flying his first cross-country flight in it. He was not monitoring the fuel quantity in the left and right fuel tanks, because he thought the fuel selector had a both selection only. However, the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank for the entire trip. On short final at his destination, the airplane’s engine lost power due to fuel starvation. The pilot performed a forced landing, which bent and wrinkled the fuselage and wings. The pilot had a total flight time of about 150 hours, of which only 5 hours were in the accident make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3442Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3442Z-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 22-7361, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-7361 - Airframe hours: 2808 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aaron M. Andrus - Registered owner: Aaron M. Andrus - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2012 - Departed: CIC, Chico, CA - Destination: ACV, Eureka, CA - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 5 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: ACV, 1 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 20120801017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120801017479A), Aug 1, 2012: Piper PA-22-160, Mckinleyville, CA, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted]Left chico airport on 08/01/2012. Prior to the flight he filled both 13 gallon fuel tanks in chico. He left chico at 0530 flew for 1.4… ## Other investigations on N3442Z (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 CHI66D0092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66D0092), Jun 23, 1965: Piper PA-22 (N3442Z), Monticello, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84555. 436 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.