Piper PA-22-150 N3410Z

Summary

On 5 March 2023 at about 16:14 local time, a Piper PA-22-150 registered N3410Z was involved in an accident near Blue Ridge, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 March 2023 at 16:14

Classification

Accident

Location

Blue Ridge, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Blue Ridge Skyport (57GA)

Coordinates

34.8522, -84.3831

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-150

Registration

N3410Z

Category

Airplane

Year built

1960

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23FA136

1 person died.

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation due to the improper positioning of the fuel selector.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot’s flight instructor reported that the pilot, who had not flown for several years, was planning on practicing traffic pattern work in preparation for a flight review. The instructor observed the airplane take off and climb to about 200 ft, at which time the engine sounded as if it was losing power. The airplane made a left turn toward a field and collided with a tree. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that, although there was fuel system damage, the fuel caps remained secured. Several gallons of fuel was recovered from both tanks. First responders reported the fuel selector was observed positioned between the right tank and the “both" setting. According to the manufacturer of the fuel selector, this would restrict fuel flow. The fuel selector was examined and functioned as designed, with no mechanical anomalies. The pilot’s instructor reported the fuel selector was located by the pilot’s leg and that, due to the pilot’s size, his leg rested on the selector. Although the engine sustained impact damage, no preimpact mechanical anomalies were found that would have precluded normal engine operation. It is likely that the loss of engine power was a result of the mispositioning of the fuel selector valve.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.