On June 26, 1993, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N7779P) was involved in an aviation accident near Elwell, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to select the left main fuel tank, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The aircraft experienced engine power loss shortly after takeoff, striking a tree and crashing in a cornfield. Investigation revealed the fuel selector was set to an empty tank, causing fuel exhaustion.
What happened
A witness observed the airplane's engine sputter and lose power shortly after the aircraft departed from the airport. Following this loss of propulsion, the airplane struck an oak tree and subsequently crashed into a cornfield located approximately one-half mile from the departure point.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed critical details regarding the fuel system. No fuel was found in the carburetor or the carburetor fuel line. Inspection of the fuel tanks showed that the right main fuel tank was completely empty, while the left main fuel tank contained approximately one-half full of fuel.
Findings
The fuel selector valve was discovered positioned to select fuel from the right main tank. This configuration meant that the engine was drawing from an empty source despite available fuel in the other tank. The primary causal factor was fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by selecting the correct tank.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to select the left main fuel tank, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
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