Piper PA32R N9263R

Summary

On 20 September 2010 at about 20:45 local time, a Piper PA32R registered N9263R, operated by Saratoga Rental Options LLC, was involved in an accident near Chamblee, Georgia, United States. One person was 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

20 September 2010 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Chamblee, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)

Coordinates

33.8375, -84.3081

Aircraft

Piper PA32R

Registration

N9263R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Saratoga Rental Options LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lawrenceville → Chamblee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10CA490

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper placement of the fuel selector.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he completed his descent checklist and moved the fuel selector from the "Right" to the "Left" position. The airplane was 2 to 3 miles from the destination airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot configured the airplane to attain the best glide airspeed and completed a forced landing to an interstate highway. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of pre-impact anomalies or fuel leakage; about 35 gallons of fuel remained in each wing. The fuel selector was found in the "Off" position; however, it was not determined if it had been moved to that position in flight or after impact. Recorded engine data revealed that about 1 minute prior to touchdown, the fuel flow rapidly dropped to almost zero; all exhaust gas temperatures went to zero and all cylinder head temperatures began a gradual decline. Under the supervision of an FAA inspector, the engine was test run and no anomalies were found. It was noted that during the engine run, the engine stopped producing power approximately 1 minute after the fuel selector was placed in the "Off" position, which was located to the left of the "Left" position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.