Piper PA-32R-301T N989SR

Summary

On 10 February 2024 at about 21:30 local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T registered N989SR was involved in an accident near Spanish Fork, Utah, 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

10 February 2024 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Spanish Fork, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Spanish Fork Muni/Woodhouse Fl (SPK)

Coordinates

40.1340, -111.6542

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-301T

Registration

N989SR

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA088

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to ensure proper placement of the fuel selector, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the local flight, he switched fuel tanks several times. While descending for landing at the conclusion of the flight, he conducted the before-landing checklist, switched fuel tanks, and turned on the electric fuel pump. On the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he conducted the landing checklist and switched to the fullest fuel tank; however, he did not specifically recall if the fuel selector was placed in the detent of the fuel tank selected. While abeam the runway threshold, the engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot by switching the fuel selector to the opposite fuel tank and cycled the electric fuel pump off and back on. Despite his attempts to troubleshoot, the engine lost total power. The pilot determined that the airplane would not reach the runway and initiated a forced landing to an open field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the recovered airframe and engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Continuity of the fuel system was established from the main fuel tanks throughout the system to the fuel servo. A test run of the engine revealed no anomalies. Data retrieved from an onboard engine monitor indicated that, before the loss of power, the fuel flow decreased from about 15 gallons per hour to 0 gallons per hour, with corresponding reductions in engine rpm, horsepower, oil pressure, and oil temperature values. The total amount of fuel onboard the airplane before the flight could not be determined; however, fuel was found in the tanks after the accident. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot failed to ensure proper placement of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.