Piper PA-22-160 N3516Z

Summary

On 3 September 2001 at about 21:01 local time, a Piper PA-22-160 registered N3516Z was involved in an accident near Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 September 2001 at 21:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Daytona Beach, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Spruce Creek (7FL6)

Coordinates

29.0800, -81.0467

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-160

Registration

N3516Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tampa → Spruce Creek

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA01LA226

Nobody was injured.

a total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper procedures by not placing the fuel selector on the tank with the most fuel, after a reported restricted movement of the flight controls for undetermined reasons, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing in a pasture.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While descending, and at an altitude of about 900 feet msl, in preparation for entry into the traffic pattern at the airport, the pilot reported, "..…the aircraft commenced an abrupt, uncommanded roll to the right." She regained level flight by applying full left aileron and full left rudder, however the airplane remained in a right wing low attitude and in a gradual right turn. The pilot stated that she "..…realized that directional control was compromised," and due to the high density of housing in the area of the airport, she elected to attempt a force landing in a cow pasture. After landing, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch. Examination of the airplane's fuel system after the accident revealed that the fuel tanks were not breached, the left fuel tank was full of fuel, and no fuel was found in the right fuel tank. The fuel selector handle was found positioned on the "right tank." About 1 ounce of fuel was drained from the forward fuel filter, and about 1/3 of a pint of fuel was drained from the aft fuel filter. Examination of the flight controls revealed that they operated normally and were found to be in serviceable condition. Examination of the propeller revealed that one propeller blade was bent aft 30 degrees and scratched, the other blade was straight and clean.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.