Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow the checklist which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain to complete a forced landing was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot and a passenger were taking off on runway 3 during a dark night when the engine lost power at 100 feet above the ground. The pilot stated that due to insufficient altitude he was unable to restart the engine. The airplane impacted trees in a wooded area. According to the pilot he had flown the airplane earlier for about an hour on the right auxiliary tank. He stated that he landed and picked up a passenger. The pilot stated that he completed an abbreviated checklist which included checking the position of the fuel pump and fuel selector. He stated that he thought the fuel selector was on 'a main tank.' an FAA aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane after the accident found the fuel selector on the right auxiliary fuel tank which was empty. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction and the accident could have been prevented if a more deliberate check of the status of the fuel selector was accomplished.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Monday, February 28, 1994, at 1845 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-260, N9322P, impacted trees in a wooded area during a forced landing at Minute Man Airfield, Stow, Massachusetts. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, it was a dark night when he was taking off on runway 3. He stated that at 100 feet above the ground the engine lost power. He stated that due to insufficient altitude he was unable to restart the engine. The airplane impacted trees in a wooded area. The pilot stated that he had flown the airplane earlier for about an hour with the fuel selector on the right auxiliary tank. He stated that he landed and picked up his passenger and that he had completed an abbreviated checklist. The abbreviated checklist included checking the fuel pump and fuel selector. He stated that he thought the fuel selector was on "a main tank." An FAA aviation safety inspector examined the airplane. The examination revealed that the right auxiliary tank was empty and that the fuel selector was selected to the right auxiliary tank. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction, and the accident could have been prevented if "a more deliberate check of status of fuel selector" was accomplished. -