Incident Overview
On September 27, 2016, a Piper PA-28-180 (serial number 28-5308) operated by a German aviation club crashed into a wooded area approximately two kilometers north of the Allendorf/Eder airfield. The accident occurred during a solo circuit flight conducted by a student pilot preparing for their practical examination. The aircraft was destroyed, and the sole occupant sustained serious head and chest injuries.
Operational Context
The student pilot, who had completed all training phases on a Cessna 172, requested type-specific instruction in the Piper PA-28 due to unavailability of their primary trainer. A flight instructor provided ground instruction, including fuel management procedures specific to the aircraft's dual-tank system. The engine was fueled with a mixture of Avgas and automotive gasoline, requiring strict adherence to tank selection protocols: the right tank for takeoff and landing, and either tank for cruise.
Sequence of Events
After an initial supervised flight involving slow-flight maneuvers and touch-and-go landings, the student pilot departed at 17:03 local time for solo circuit flights. During the sixth circuit, the pilot reported a power loss to air traffic control. By approximately 17:50, the engine had failed completely while the aircraft was over a forested area on the upwind leg of the pattern. The aircraft collided with trees during its glide and impacted the ground.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident examination revealed that the right wing tank, which was selected for fuel supply, was empty. Approximately 20 liters of fuel remained in the left wing tank. The fuel selector switch was found in the 'Right Tank' position. No mechanical faults were identified in the carburetor or fuel lines between the selector and the engine. The absence of fuel in the right tank despite the selector setting indicated that the pilot had inadvertently exhausted the right tank's supply, likely by failing to switch to the left tank during cruise as required by the aircraft's operating limitations for mixed-fuel operation.