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NTSB Report

July 27, 2011 · Piper PA-24-250 · N7365P

Sidney, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Sidney, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N7365P
Operator
Petzold Milton H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA425

The pilot stated that he last checked the fuel quantity before a flight that he conducted 2 weeks prior to the accident flight. During that flight, he noticed that the right auxiliary fuel gauge was inoperative. The airplane landed uneventfully and remained in a hangar until the accident flight. The purpose of the accident flight was to drain fuel from the right auxiliary fuel tank, in order for maintenance work to be performed on the fuel tank sending unit. The pilot did not check the fuel quantity prior to the accident flight as he estimated that sufficient fuel remained from the previous flight. The pilot completed a 20-minute local flight and was on final approach to land, with the fuel selector positioned to the right auxiliary fuel tank, when a low fuel pressure indicator light illuminated in the cockpit. At that time, the airplane was about 800 feet above ground level, over a populated town. The pilot activated the fuel boost pump, but did not reposition the fuel selector to a different fuel tank. The engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power and the pilot performed a forced landing into trees and a river. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot further stated that the accident was "pilot error" as he ran the right auxiliary fuel tank dry.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel planning and management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during final approach.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that he last checked the fuel quantity before a flight that he conducted 2 weeks prior to the accident flight. During that flight, he noticed that the right auxiliary fuel gauge was inoperative. The airplane landed uneventfully and remained in a hangar until the accident flight. The purpose of the accident flight was to drain fuel from the right auxiliary fuel tank, in order for maintenance work to be performed on the fuel tank sending unit. The pilot did not check the fuel quantity prior to the accident flight as he estimated that sufficient fuel remained from the previous flight. The pilot completed a 20-minute local flight and was on final approach to land, with the fuel selector positioned to the right auxiliary fuel tank, when a low fuel pressure indicator light illuminated in the cockpit. At that time, the airplane was about 800 feet above ground level, over a populated town. The pilot activated the fuel boost pump, but did not reposition the fuel selector to a different fuel tank. The engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power and the pilot performed a forced landing into trees and a river. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot further stated that the accident was "pilot error" as he ran the right auxiliary fuel tank dry.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportSidney Municipal Airport (1nm)
Runway25
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN7365P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPetzold Milton H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data