The pilot's mismangement of the fuel supply, by which he failed to switched fuel tanks, which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power.
— NTSB Determination
The pilot departed in a Piper PA-28-181 with full tanks. After flying for 2.2 hours, the engine lost power and the pilot ditched the airplane in the Hudson River. When interviewed he reported that he had not switched tanks. The FAA reported that after the airplane was recovered from the river, the right tank was full of fuel, and the left tank had about 5 gallons of water, and less than half a cup of fuel. The fuel selector was found set to the left tank.
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The pilot departed in a Piper PA-28-181 with full tanks. After flying for 2.2 hours, the engine lost power and the pilot ditched the airplane in the Hudson River. When interviewed he reported that he had not switched tanks. The FAA reported that after the airplane was recovered from the river, the right tank was full…
The accident on 1997-07-13 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N84611, operated by Million Air, at Jersey City, NJ.
The pilot's mismangement of the fuel supply, by which he failed to switched fuel tanks, which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power.
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