New Piper PA32-301FT N32EV

Summary

On 17 March 2013 at about 11:05 local time, a New Piper PA32-301FT registered N32EV, operated by Alberto Toledo, was involved in an accident near Stafford, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 March 2013 at 11:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Stafford, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Stafford Regional Airport (RMN)

Coordinates

38.3700, -77.4300

Aircraft

New Piper PA32-301FT

Registration

N32EV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Alberto Toledo

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Saluda → Stafford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13LA173

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's improper placement of the fuel tank selector handle during approach, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting a GPS instrument approach with the autopilot engaged when the engine lost power. The pilot chose to land in a nearby field because he determined that the airplane could not reach the airport. He adjusted the airplane to obtain the best-glide airspeed and performed remedial actions, but the engine power was not restored. The airplane struck trees, terrain, and a bulldozer in a construction area where it came to rest. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had adequate fuel and that the fuel selector handle was in an intermediate position between the left- and right-tank positions. After the floor was removed from above the fuel selector valve, a visual inspection revealed that the fuel selector valve's lever arm was in an approximate right-tank position but that it was not seated fully in the right-tank detent position. When manipulated, the lever arm was able to be seated fully in the detent of the right-tank position. Further movement of the lever arm revealed that it moved smoothly through its entire range and that it seated fully in both detent positions. Postaccident examination revealed no anomalies of the fuel system that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of data downloaded from the primary flight display and multifunction display revealed engine rpm and fuel flow values consistent with a final approach profile until a significant fuel flow drop occurred, which was followed 6 seconds later by a loss of engine rpm. The data were consistent with a loss of engine power due to the fuel selector being placed in an intermediate position during an attempted fuel tank switch. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.