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NTSB Report

January 28, 2011 · Piper PA24 250 · N8023P

Huntsville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 28, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Huntsville, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA24 250
Tail Number
N8023P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA162

The pilot requested that the airplane be “topped off” with fuel before the flight. The person who refueled the airplane filled two of the four tanks with 9 gallons of fuel total, and the pilot said he visually checked that all four tanks were full during his preflight inspection. The pilot reported that after flying about 1 hour, the “engine started surging due to a lack of fuel” and quit. He made several attempts to restart the engine “by switching from all of the rest of [his] full tanks” but was unable to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to a dirt road. During the landing, the left main gear collapsed and the left wing spar sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed both main tanks were empty and the two auxiliary tanks were full. There was no evidence of any fuel leaks at the scene. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the airplane auxiliary tanks only being fueled and the pilot departing with insufficient fuel in the main tanks, resulting in an engine failure due to fuel starvation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection to ensure the main tanks were full, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

On January 28, 2011, about 1400 central standard time, a Piper model PA-24-250 airplane, N8023P, was substantially damaged after an off airport landing following a loss of engine power. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight originated at Livingston Municipal Airport (00R), Livingston, Texas, and was en route to Huntsville Municipal Airport (UTS), Huntsville, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he had requested the airplane to be “topped off” by a local fixed base operator. Fueling records confirmed the airplane took nine gallons of fuel. The pilot also stated he visually confirmed all four fuel tanks were “topped off” during his preflight inspection. The pilot said he started the engine at 1302 and took off at 1309. He landed at 00R at 1339 and left the engines running on the ground for about 20 minutes, and departed. While flying from 00R to UTS at 1354 the “engine started surging due to a lack of fuel.” The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but the engine would not restart. He then performed a forced landing to a dirt road. During landing the left main gear collapsed and the left wing spar was damaged. The airplane was equipped with four fuel tanks, a left and right main tank and left and right auxiliary tanks. According to the airplane owner’s handbook 60 gallons is the standard combined capacity of the main fuel tanks. If auxiliary fuel cells are installed the capacity is 90 gallons. The auxiliary fuel cells hold 15 gallons each and are located outboard of the main fuel tanks. The person who fueled the airplane said he refueled only two tanks and was not aware the airplane was equipped with four tanks. He thought he had fueled the inboard main tanks and did not notice the two auxiliary tanks. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and determined the left and right main fuel tanks were empty and the two auxiliary tanks were full. He did not detect any signs of fuel leaks at the scene.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest AirportHuntsville Municipal Airport (12nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA24 250
Tail NumberN8023P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data