Accident Overview
On April 17, 2021, about 1950 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, registration N2973R, was substantially damaged in an accident near McKinney, Texas. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries.
Flight Details
During the second traffic pattern iteration, while turning from base to final, the engine lost total power. The student pilot transferred flight controls to the instructor. After confirming the total loss of engine power, the instructor initiated the memorized emergency checklist. He reported that the propeller was turning throughout the event. The instructor attempted to restore engine power and notified the tower controller of the emergency. He performed a forced landing to an open field.
The student pilot reported not seeing the instructor reach toward the fuel selector with his left hand; the only item the instructor touched with his right hand was the throttle. The student stated he performed the landing as the instructor passed out. After the airplane came to rest, the student egressed and found the instructor slumped over the seat. The instructor regained consciousness briefly before passing out again. The student then contacted first responders.
Postaccident Examination
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies. The fuel selector valve remained intact. Located on the lower left cockpit sidewall, the fuel selector valve assembly included a flat metal disc labeled with detent positions, which remained attached via a screw. The selector handle was installed on the valve shaft and was positioned near one of the two OFF detent positions.
The airplane was not equipped with the fuel selector valve cover or handle referenced in Piper Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 840A, titled "Fuel Selector Valve Cover Replacement." The SB states its purpose: "To announce the availability of a new fuel selector valve cover assembly and mating handle, which reduces the possibility of pilot mismanagement of the fuel system through inadvertent selection to the 'OFF' position, resulting in power interruption or stoppage."
Maintenance History
A review of the airplane's maintenance records indicated that the most recent annual inspection was completed 11 days before the accident. However, there was no record of an annual inspection in the previous 9 years. The airplane's tachometer hour meter had accumulated only 0.2 hours since that annual inspection 9 years prior.