On July 2, 1982, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N5540P) operated by Ronald W. Fowler was involved in an aviation accident near Oberlin, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's incorrect resetting of the fuel selector switch during the go-around, which resulted in engine failure and a subsequent forced landing with damage to the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot's incorrect fuel selector reset during a go-around caused engine failure, resulting in a forced landing crash with significant aircraft damage.
What happened
The crew initiated a go-around due to suspected issues with the landing gear configuration. During the subsequent approach phase, the engine ceased operation. This mechanical failure occurred after one pilot correctly adjusted the fuel selector switch, only for the other pilot to reset it incorrectly moments later. The loss of power necessitated an immediate forced landing attempt. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck an embankment, which resulted in damage to the propeller and the collapse of the landing gear.
Findings
The critical factor in this accident was the improper management of the fuel system during a high-workload phase of flight. The sequence of events indicates that while the initial correction was accurate, the subsequent action by the second pilot disrupted the fuel flow, leading to engine stoppage.
Probable cause
The pilot's incorrect resetting of the fuel selector switch during the go-around, which resulted in engine failure and a subsequent forced landing with damage to the aircraft.
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