Piper PA-22-135 N1279C

Summary

On 9 July 1998 at about 13:45 local time, a Piper PA-22-135 registered N1279C was involved in an accident near San Angelo, Texas, 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

9 July 1998 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

San Angelo, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Mathis Field (SJT)

Coordinates

31.2809, -100.4105

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-135

Registration

N1279C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Midland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA305

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane nosed over during a forced landing to a construction area following a loss of engine power in cruise flight. At the accident site, an FAA inspector found the left fuel tank empty and the fuel selector in the off position. A mechanic, who arrived at the site before the inspector, stated that he turned the selector off. In a written statement, the pilot did not mention selecting a different fuel tank following the power loss. In two interviews, the pilot made conflicting statements as to whether she had switched fuel tanks. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. After the impact damaged lower half of the carburetor was replaced, the engine was run on a test stand for about 10 minutes at various power settings.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.