On July 13, 1982, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N25187) operated by Trinity Piper, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near New Braunfels, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The investigation revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank (empty) and the pilot had not selected the left tank during the descent. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported engine failure during descent. After vectors to an airport, the aircraft was too low to reach it. The pilot chose a hill landing; the left main gear struck a fence and separated, nose gear collapsed. Investigation revealed fuel selector on empty right tank; pilot had not selected left tank.
Sequence of Events
A pilot reported that as he attempted to apply power at the end of a descent, the engine failed to respond. Air traffic control provided vectors to an airport, but the aircraft was too low to reach it. The pilot then selected a road for a landing, but noticed power lines and instead elected to land on a hill adjacent to the road. Just prior to touchdown, the left main landing gear struck a fence and separated. After touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank and the right tank was empty. The pilot reported that he had not selected the left tank during the descent.
Probable cause
The investigation revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank (empty) and the pilot had not selected the left tank during the descent.