Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX89LA130

FULLERTON, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N84435

PIPER PA-28-161

Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR HAD BEEN POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK FOR DEPARTURE.

Probable Cause and Findings

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION, THE SELECTION OF THE IMPROPER FUEL TANK BY THE STUDENT, AND POOR SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE DUAL STUDENT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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