Piper PA-28-161 N1669H

Summary

On 26 May 2009 at about 16:50 local time, a Piper PA-28-161 registered N1669H, operated by Walker County Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Jasper, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 May 2009 at 16:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Jasper, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Walker County Airport (JFX)

Coordinates

33.9011, -87.3086

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-161

Registration

N1669H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Walker County Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jasper → Jasper

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA308

2 people had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the flight instructor's improper fuel management.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor stated that prior to the instructional flight the airplane was refueled so that the left main tank was approximately ¾ full of fuel. He said that he checked the right fuel tank and it was full. He taxied the airplane to the runway to conduct touch-and-go landings with his student. He said that he positioned the fuel selector on the left main fuel tank. After they conducted approximately seven touch-and-go landings, and on climbout between 200-300 feet, the engine stopped running and the propeller began to windmill. He told the student pilot "my airplane," and he then made an emergency landing in a field. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left main fuel tank was depleted of fuel, and fuel continuity was established from the fuel tank to the carburetor. The right fuel tank was full of fuel. The FAA inspector interviewed a mechanic who assisted the pilots after the accident, and the mechanic stated that the fuel selector was in the left tank position after the accident. Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.