Piper PA-22 N3700P

Summary

On 20 July 1989 at about 23:25 local time, a Piper PA-22 registered N3700P, operated by Robert H. Elton, was involved in an accident near Meridian, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 July 1989 at 23:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Meridian, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.5897, -116.4192

Aircraft

Piper PA-22

Registration

N3700P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert H. Elton

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nampa → Emmett

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA89LA137

1 person had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY POSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE, AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT (FAILURE TO SEE & AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS). THE POWER LINE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT RPRTD HE HAD BEEN HAVING SOME TROUBLE WITH A MAGNETO & WAS GOING TO FLY THE ACFT TO EMMETT, IDAHO FOR ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE. WHILE EN ROUTE AT 2000 AGL, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT BEGAN AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. HOWEVER, JUST BEFORE LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A POWER LINE & CRASHED. AN INSPN OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK, WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS SO AWARE OF A POSSIBLE MAGNETO PROBLEM THAT HE DID NOT THINK TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.