Incident Overview
On May 26, 2009, at approximately 1150 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, registration N1669H, made an emergency landing following a complete loss of engine power. The event occurred near Walker County Airport in Jasper, Alabama. The airplane, operated by Walker County Aviation LLC under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, was conducting an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight had departed from Walker County Airport at 1100 central daylight time. Both the certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Flight and Pilot Actions
Before the instructional flight, the CFI reported that the airplane was refueled to approximately three-quarters full in the left main tank, and the right main tank was full. The CFI taxied the aircraft to runway 27 to perform touch-and-go landings with the student. During the flight, the fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. After completing about seven touch-and-go landings, during a climbout at an altitude between 200 and 300 feet, the engine ceased operation and the propeller began to windmill. The CFI took control of the airplane, stating "my airplane," and lowered the nose. The engine briefly restarted, and the CFI advised the student to switch fuel tanks. However, the CFI later stated that he did not know whether the student actually switched tanks. Shortly thereafter, the engine stopped again, leading the CFI to execute an emergency landing in a field.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and found that the left main fuel tank was depleted of fuel, while the right main fuel tank remained full. Fuel continuity was established from the right tank to the carburetor. A mechanic who assisted the pilots after the accident reported that the fuel selector was found in the left tank position. The FAA inspector conducted a thorough examination of the engine and discovered no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. No other flight control or mechanical issues were noted.