SCHAUMBURG, IL, USA
N8243S
PIPER PA-28-161
THE STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AFTER ABOUT 1 HR OF FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER A TOUCH-&-GO AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL. A TOWN & SOME BLDGS WERE AHEAD, SO THE CFI MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO TRY TO REACH THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD. HOWEVER, THE ACFT MUSHED INTO TREES BEFORE HE COULD REACH THE FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY (LEFT) FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK. THE STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR HAD VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE CFI ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GAL REMAINING WITH THE LEFT TANK BEING THE FULLEST (FUEL LEVEL JUST BELOW THE TABS IN THAT TANK). THE FLT WAS CONDUCTED BY USING FUEL FROM ONLY THE LEFT TANK.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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