Piper PA-28-180 N7838W

Summary

On 31 May 2024 at about 17:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N7838W was involved in an accident near Nephi, Utah, United States. 2 people were 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

31 May 2024 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Nephi, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Nephi Municipal (U14)

Coordinates

39.7637, -111.8684

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N7838W

Category

Airplane

Year built

1964

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Provo → Provo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA178

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s incorrect movement of the fuel selector valve to an off or restricted position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during cruise flight, about 900 to 1,000 ft above ground level, he switched fuel tanks, and shortly after, the engine began to sputter and lose power. He attempted to troubleshoot by advancing the mixture and throttle levers, however, was unable to restore engine power and initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel dug into soft terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and right wing. The pilot stated that he may have placed the fuel selector valve to an intermediate position and not within the fuel selector detents, which likely starved the engine for fuel. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.