Accident Overview
On June 7, 2022, at approximately 1415 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, registration N8283V, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft was conducting an instructional flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 with a solo student pilot, who was not injured.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot had returned from a cross-country flight and intended to practice touch-and-go landings. After completing the first touch-and-go landing on runway 17, as the airplane climbed to about 100 ft above ground level, the engine ceased producing power. The student pilot executed a forced landing straight ahead. During the landing, the left wing contacted a tree and separated, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
Post-Accident Examination
An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the aircraft at the accident site. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left fuel tank, which was approximately half full of fuel. The right fuel tank was empty. The student pilot informed the FAA inspector that, at the time of the power loss, the fuel selector had been set to the right tank. The student stated that the selector was moved to the left tank position after the accident while securing the airplane.