Synopsis
On a night return flight from Tishomingo to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a Piper PA-28 aircraft, registration N7593J, crashed after the engine lost power. The aircraft had been refueled at a nearby airport before the flight departed. The pilot flew the leg from Oklahoma City to Tishomingo with the fuel selector positioned to the right tank, which had been the last tank used by the previous pilot.
Flight Details
During the return flight, the pilot's father observed that the right fuel gauge indicated empty while the left gauge indicated full. The pilot was unable to locate the fuel selector valve and requested assistance from Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Before assistance could be provided, the engine lost power.
A pilot familiar with the PA-28 type happened to be at ARTCC. By the time that individual was located and instructions were relayed to the pilot of N7593J, the aircraft had nearly descended to ground level. As the pilot reached for the fuel selector, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed.
Pilot Statements
Later, the pilot stated that during his checkout in the aircraft, he had never operated the landing gear or fuel selector. He believed the fuel selector was located on the floor between the seats, but it was actually situated on the left wall of the cockpit, near the pilot's left knee.
Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank, which had been indicated as empty.