NTSB Factual Report

On September 10, 2012, about 1810 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N5538F, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing to a corn field following a loss of engine power after takeoff near Boonville, Indiana. The student pilot had just taken off from runway 9 (2,300 feet by 100 feet, turf), when the engine lost power. The airplane sustained damage including a buckled firewall, buckled left wing, and separated nose landing gear. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by J F Aircraft LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The student pilot reported that arrived at the airport for a solo flight in the local traffic pattern. He stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and added fuel prior to the flight. He noted that no abnormalities were found. After fueling the airplane he boarded the airplane, started it and taxied to the run-up area where he performed a pre-takeoff run-up with no abnormal indications noted. After lining up for takeoff, full power was applied and the airplane accelerated to liftoff speed and a 75 mph climb speed established. The student pilot reported that when the airplane had reached an altitude about 100 to 150 feet above the ground, the engine sputtered twice and then lost all power. He stated that the propeller stopped rotating and he executed a forced landing to a corn field. Once the airplane came to a stop the pilot turned off the master electrical switch, the electric fuel pump switch and exited the airplane.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspectors revealed no fuel in the fuel lines from the gascolator to the mechanical fuel pump. The fuel selector valve was in the off position. The engine could be rotated and engine continuity was confirmed. Both magnetos produced spark when the engine was rotated. The damage to the airplane included wrinkling of the firewall, buckling of the left wing, and separation of the left main landing gear.

In a telephone conversation with the student pilot's flight instructor, the instructor stated that he had turned off the fuel selector at the accident site prior to the arrival of FAA inspectors to prevent the possibility of a fuel leak. Although he could not be sure, the instructor stated that when he turned the selector valve to the off position it may not have been fully engaged in the detent.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination could not verify whether the fuel selector was properly positioned before takeoff.