Piper PA38-112 N2600N

Summary

On 4 May 2007 at about 20:15 local time, a Piper PA38-112 registered N2600N was involved in an accident near Odenton, Maryland, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 May 2007 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Odenton, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Tipton Airport (FME)

Coordinates

39.0936, -76.7842

Aircraft

Piper PA38-112

Registration

N2600N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Allentown → Odenton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07FA109

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's mismanagement of the airplane's fuel supply, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the cross-country flight was uneventful until in the vicinity of his planned destination, and that there were no problems with the performance or handling characteristics of the airplane. As the airplane turned from a southerly heading to an easterly heading to align with the destination runway, the pilot switched fuel tanks, and the engine immediately stopped producing power. According to the pilot, "I made a mistake. I should have switched tanks while the wings were level, before I made the maneuver." The pilot again switched tanks, turned on the fuel boost pump, and attempted a restart, but lacked the altitude to accomplish the engine start. He then maneuvered the airplane to a two-lane road that ran parallel to a busy state highway beneath him for the forced landing. Examination of the airplane at the scene revealed that both fuel tanks were voided, but the fuel caps remained secure in their ports. There was no odor of fuel, nor was there evidence of fuel spillage at the scene. The left fuel gauge indicated one-half tank, and the right fuel gauge indicated "Empty." The fuel selector was selected to the right fuel tank position. According to the pilot, "I had plenty of fuel, I just didn't manage it right."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.