1989-10-29: Piper PA-18-150 — West Valley Flying Club — Palo Alto, CA

Casualties unknown • Palo Alto, CA, US

Probable cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IMPROPERLY SUPERVISED THE FLIGHT AND THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY SET THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE IN THE PROPER POSITION. BOTH PILOTS FAILED TO USE THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

WHEN ENTERING THE DOWNWIND LEG THE PVT PLT DUAL STUDENT REPORTEDLY SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE OF THE FULLEST TANK. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY UNTIL THE LOCAL CONTROLLER INSTRUCTED THE FLIGHT TO GO AROUND, WHEN THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CFI ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE AIRPLANE AND EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DIKE AND NOSED-OVER INTO A SLOUGH. THE CFI STATED THAT HE SUSPECTED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS NOT PROPERLY SEATED IN THE DETENT POSITION.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-10-29 Piper PA-18-150 accident near Palo Alto, CA?

WHEN ENTERING THE DOWNWIND LEG THE PVT PLT DUAL STUDENT REPORTEDLY SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE OF THE FULLEST TANK. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY UNTIL THE LOCAL CONTROLLER INSTRUCTED THE FLIGHT TO GO AROUND, WHEN THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CFI ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE AIRPLANE AND…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-10-29 involved a Piper PA-18-150, registration N9292Z, operated by West Valley Flying Club, at Palo Alto, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IMPROPERLY SUPERVISED THE FLIGHT AND THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY SET THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE IN THE PROPER POSITION. BOTH PILOTS FAILED TO USE THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29642. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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