Piper PA-22-108 N5207Z

Summary

On 3 November 2001 at about 17:45 local time, a Piper PA-22-108 registered N5207Z was involved in an accident near Roanoke, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 November 2001 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Roanoke, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Roanoke Regional (ROA)

Coordinates

37.3528, -79.9300

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-108

Registration

N5207Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Roanoke → New London

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02LA021

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the pilot ensure the proper position of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the improper placement of the fuel selector valve tank index, and the improper in-flight decision of the pilot to change tanks in accordance with the owner's manual.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on departure climb, and less than 1,000 feet above the ground, the pilot moved the fuel selector from the left (main) fuel tank to the right (aux) fuel tank. The engine quit, and the pilot reported he did not have time to focus on the engine out, but only time for the forced landing. The airplane struck a detached garage, and came to rest inverted near a residence. The index plate for the fuel selector was found improperly secured, and obscured the tank index position marks. The pilot reported that it was turbulent when he changed tanks and could not verifying the position of the fuel tank selector or feel its detent. The right tank was placarded use in level flight only.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.