Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N8078X
Location: Dayton, OH
Accident Number: GAA20CA017
Date & Time: 10/10/2019, 1600 EDT
Registration: N8078X
Aircraft: Piper PA28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The private pilot reported that she was working toward a commercial certificate with a safety pilot onboard. During the final approach, the airplane's altitude was low, and she added power by moving the throttle but "nothing happened." The safety pilot took the controls and made a forced landing on a highway. During the landing, the airplane struck a vehicle. Both pilots reported that they were not sure why the engine lost power. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane reported that the fuel tank selector was positioned to the left tank. The fuel pump and carburetor float bowl each had less than an ounce of fuel. The left wing tank did not contain any usable fuel, and no sign of fuel was found on the ground postimpact. The right tank contained about 12 gallons of fuel.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport landing, during which the airplane struck a vehicle.
Findings
Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid management (Cause)
Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Ground vehicle - Effect on operation (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute
Miscellaneous/other
Fuel starvation
Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Off-field or emergency landing
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 27, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/14/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/05/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 158 hours (Total, all aircraft), 158 hours (Total, this make and model), 69 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 33 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 26, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/01/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N8078X
Model/Series: PA28 181
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28-8090075
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-360
Registered Owner: Aviation Sales Inc
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Aviation Sales Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light:Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMGY, 962 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2153 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 349°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 160°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Coldwater, MI (OBE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Dayton, OH (MGY)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1430 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Dayton-Wright Brothers (MGY)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 956 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 20
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.588889, -84.224722 (est)
I am flabbergasted the instructor even missed the fuel draw only being from the left tank, let alone the pilot in command who should have noticed a significant wing imbalance feel if even not paying attention to where the fuel gauges were (or fuel selector position). And the pilot was going for her commercial and failed in basic fuel management we are all taught before being signed off for our first solo? That is scary.
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