Incident Overview
On December 6, 2011, at 1630 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA 38-112 (registration N2466D) experienced a loss of engine power while on final approach to Yolo County Airport in Davis, California. The aircraft was being operated by Mazzei Flying Service under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported conducting a cross-country flight in preparation for his commercial pilot certificate. He stated that he departed with 26 gallons of fuel. The flight originally departed at 1415, included a touch-and-go landing at Sacramento International Airport, and was on the final approach leg to the second intended airport when the engine power loss occurred. The pilot force-landed the airplane in a field, and it nosed over.
Post-Accident Observations
After the accident, the airplane came to rest inverted. Initial responders noted fuel seepage from the left wing tank, but the exact fuel quantity in that tank at the time of the accident could not be determined. No fuel seepage was observed from the right fuel tank. When the airplane was recovered the following morning, residual fuel was found in each tank. The engine was later test run, and no operational anomalies were noted.
Fuel Management Details
In a conversation with the owner of the flight school, it was reported that the pilot was unable to confirm how much fuel was in the airplane upon departure. Due to weight and balance requirements, the pilot had not filled the tanks to capacity and estimated the amount of fuel onboard. He did not have a means of verifying the exact fuel quantity. Following the loss of engine power, the pilot switched fuel tanks but could not recall to which fuel tank the fuel selector was positioned. When the airplane came to rest, the pilot positioned the fuel selector in the "Off" position.