On January 28, 1994, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N6085P) was involved in an aviation accident near Centreville, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE PROPER POSITION FOR TAKEOFF. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Piper PA-24-250 crashed shortly after departing runway 27. The pilot, who had 9 hours in type, reported an unspecified emergency. The airplane was observed in a steep left bank and nose-down attitude. Fuel selectors were in the tip tank position, contrary to the flight manual supplement.
Accident Details
The aircraft involved in the accident was a Piper PA-24-250. The pilot had purchased the airplane 11 days prior to the occurrence and had accumulated 9 hours of flight experience in that specific aircraft.
Flight and Witness Observations
After departing from runway 27, witnesses overheard the pilot transmit on UNICOM that he was returning to the airport due to an unspecified emergency. Shortly thereafter, the airplane was seen in a steep left bank and nose-down attitude just before impacting terrain west of the departure end of runway 27.
Post-Accident Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane's fuel selectors were in the position corresponding to the tip tanks. The FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement for the installation of Brittain Industries wing tip fuel tanks on the Piper PA-24-250 states that wing tip tank fuel is intended for use only during level flight.
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