On August 16, 1985, a Piper PA-20 (registration N7665K) was involved in an aviation accident near Bay City, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by selecting the correct fuel tank, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft sustained damage during a hard forced landing after the engine quit at low altitude. Investigation revealed the fuel selector was on an empty tank while the other tank was nearly full.
What happened
The aircraft sustained substantial damage during a hard forced landing that occurred shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported that the engine stopped producing power while the aircraft was at an approximate altitude of 250 feet above ground level.
The investigation
A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed a critical discrepancy in the fuel system configuration. The fuel selector valve was found positioned to draw from the right tank, which contained only approximately two ounces of usable fuel. In contrast, the left fuel tank was discovered to be approximately two-thirds full.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion due to the pilot selecting the wrong fuel tank for takeoff and flight. The engine quit because it was drawing from a nearly empty tank while significant fuel remained available in the other tank.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by selecting the correct fuel tank, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
What happened in the 16 Aug 1985 Piper PA-20 accident near Bay City, MI?
Aircraft sustained damage during a hard forced landing after the engine quit at low altitude. Investigation revealed the fuel selector was on an empty tank while the other tank was nearly full.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 Aug 1985 involved a Piper PA-20, registration N7665K, at Bay City, MI.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by selecting the correct fuel tank, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
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