National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Factual Report

Location: Dayton, OH Accident Number: GAA20CA017

Date & Time: 10/10/2019, 1600 EDT Registration: N8078X
Aircraft: Piper PA28 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

According to the instrument rated private pilot, she was working toward a commercial
certificate, conducting an instrument cross-country flight in VFR conditions with a safety pilot.
During the final approach the airplane's altitude was low and she added power by moving the
throttle but "nothing happened."

The safety pilot in the right seat took the controls and made a forced landing on a highway.
During the landing the airplane struck a vehicle.

The private pilot and the safety pilot reported that they were not sure why the engine lost
power.

The private pilot reported that the accident flight was the second and return leg of the IFR
cross-country flight.

Additionally, the private pilot reported that the airplane had been "topped off" prior to the
flight, which was about 181 nautical miles to their destination. During preflight for the return
leg, she affirmed that she visually checked the fuel quantity in each tank and, "it was at the
tabs". She completed a fuel sample and they departed for the return flight.

According to the FAA Inspector that performed the post-accident airplane examination, during
the examination, he observed that the fuel tank selector was set to the left tank. The fuel pump
and carburetor float bowl had less than an ounce of fuel in each. The left wing tank did not
contain any usable fuel and there was no sign of fuel on the ground post impact. The right tank
contained about 12 gallons of fuel.

According to the manufacturer's pilot operator handbook, per Chapter 3, the first step of the
Engine Power Loss In Flight emergency procedure state:

Fuel Selector…………………switch to tank containing fuel

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.

Page 1 of 3
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private Age: 27, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/14/2018
Waivers/Limitations
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/05/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 158 hours (Total, all aircraft), 158 hours (Total, this make and model), 69 hours
(Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 33 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 30 days, all
aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial Age: 26, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 None Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/01/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper Registration: N8078X
Model/Series: PA28 181 Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979 Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal Serial Number: 28-8090075
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Engine Model/Series: O-360
Registered Owner: Aviation Sales Inc Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Aviation Sales Inc Operating Certificate(s) Pilot School (141)
Held:

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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMGY, 962 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2153 UTC Direction from Accident Site: 349°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots / Turbulence Type /
Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 160° Turbulence Severity /
Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Coldwater, MI (OBE) Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Dayton, OH (MGY) Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1430 CDT Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information
Airport: Dayton-Wright Brothers (MGY) Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 956 ft Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 20 IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 100 ft VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None Latitude, Longitude: 39.588889, -84.224722 (est)

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
Additional Participating Persons:
Note:
Investigation Docket:
Michael A Hicks
Aaron Southerland; FAA; Reno, NV
This accident report documents the factual circumstances of this accident as described
to the NTSB.
http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms/search/dockList.cfm?mKey=100416

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