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NTSB Report

May 15, 2024 · Piper PA-28-180 · N6571J

Hot Springs, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 2024
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Hot Springs, AR
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180 (1968)
Tail Number
N6571J
Operator
Lord Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN24LA189

The instructional flight was returning to the departure airport for landing when the student pilot changed the fuel tank selector position in preparation for landing. While flying the approach, the flight instructor told the student pilot to add engine power; however, the engine exhibited a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor took over the flight controls, and the airplane impacted a vacant area in a residential neighborhood. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector valve did not intersect the valve body port positions. With the fuel selector valve between port positions, fuel cannot flow downstream to the engine. There were no other preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s selection of an improper fuel tank selector position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the instructor’s inadequate oversight.

Full Narrative

On May 15, 2024, at 1450 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N6571J, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hot Springs, Arkansas. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries, and the student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor and student pilot had completed flight maneuvers as part of the instructional flight before returning from the practice area to the departure airport for a visual approach and landing. The flight instructor said that the student pilot made a fuel tank selection change while they performed the descent checklist. The student pilot was flying the approach when the flight instructor told the student pilot to add engine power, but the engine exhibited a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor took over the flight controls, and the airplane impacted a vacant area in a residential neighborhood. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector valve did not intersect any of the valve body ports. With the fuel selector valve between port positions, fuel was unable to flow downstream to the engine. There were no other preacccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 CDT
Nearest AirportMemorial Field Airport (1.7nm ENE)
Runway23
Runway Length6595 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN6571J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLord Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 19 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data