Accident Details
On January 31, 2024, about 1722 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, registration N2184T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Conway, Arkansas. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
The student pilot reported that before the flight, the airplane was serviced with 48 gallons of 100 low lead fuel, and both pilots visually checked the fuel during preflight. During the flight, the student performed one touch-and-go landing and continued in the traffic pattern. While on the downwind leg, the flight instructor explained the airplane’s fuel system and how to change fuel tanks. During the pre-landing checklist, the instructor directed the student to switch from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. Before turning base, the student noted the engine was not responding to throttle inputs. The instructor took control and executed a forced landing to a field. After coming to rest, the student positioned the fuel selector to OFF and exited. The student had accumulated 13.3 flight hours in the last 12 months, with 1.2 hours in the accident make and model.
The flight instructor reported that during the instructional flight, after completing one touch-and-go, they were on the downwind leg when a preset fuel reminder alerted on the GPS. He directed the student to turn on the fuel pump and select the left fuel tank. During pre-landing procedures, the student alerted him of a loss of engine power. The instructor performed a forced landing to a field, then shut off the airplane and exited. He did not direct the student to switch the fuel selector to OFF after the accident and did not recall any postaccident discussion about the selector. During the flight, he did not observe the fuel selector position as it was on the opposite side of the student’s leg.
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose landing gear had collapsed and the right wing sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector documented the fuel selector position as toward OFF but not fully seated in the detent. The inspector tested the fuel selector valve and found it worked as expected with steady fuel flow when positioned to the left or right tank positions, and no flow when set to OFF. When the handle was moved to the same position as found after the accident, a slight stream of fuel was produced. No other preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were identified that would have precluded normal engine operation.