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Student Pilot Makes Forced Landing After Engine Power Loss During Cross-Country Flight (N598Z)

Falfurrias, TX, US

On January 19, 1996, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N598Z) operated by Flight Training Systems, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Falfurrias, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot lost engine power on the final leg of a solo cross-country flight. A forced landing into a soft field was made. Examination revealed an empty left fuel tank and a full right tank, with the fuel selector in the left position.

Flight Details

A student pilot departed Brownsville, Texas, for a solo cross-country flight. The route included a stop at Corpus Christi, Texas, for touch-and-go landings, followed by a full-stop landing at Rockport, Texas. After refueling at Rockport, the pilot continued to Alice, Texas, for another full-stop landing.

Engine Failure and Forced Landing

Approximately 25 minutes into the final leg from Alice to Brownsville, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted emergency procedures to restore engine power, but they were unsuccessful. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field with soft soil.

Post-Accident Examination

An examination of the aircraft revealed that the left fuel tank was empty, while the right fuel tank was full. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left tank.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Jan 1996 Piper PA-38-112 accident near Falfurrias, TX?

A student pilot lost engine power on the final leg of a solo cross-country flight. A forced landing into a soft field was made. Examination revealed an empty left fuel tank and a full right tank, with the fuel selector in the left position.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Jan 1996 involved a Piper PA-38-112, registration N598Z, operated by Flight Training Systems, Inc., at Falfurrias, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05146. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.