NTSB Factual Report

On February 16, 2002, about 1930 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N9302N, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees, during a forced landing near Fredericksburg, Virginia. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed; and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Manassas Regional Airport, Manassas, Virginia, about 1910.

According to the private pilot, he descended from 3,500 feet msl to 1,500 feet msl, while approaching Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia. He planned to fly an upwind traffic pattern entry for runway 24, and performed a "GUMPS" check about 3 miles from the airport. At that time, he moved the fuel selector from "LEFT" to "RIGHT." Subsequently, the rpm increased momentarily, and then decreased below 1000. The pilot moved the throttle and propeller lever "back and forth" several times, but the engine did not restart. He was unable to glide to the airport, and performed a forced landing into trees. The airplane came to rest about 1/4 - 1/2 mile from the airport.

The private pilot reported that he had approximately 206 hours of total flight experience. About 7 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane, and 43 hours were at night. The CFI had approximately 403 hours of total flight experience. About 87 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane, and 59 hours were at night.

The private pilot provided an initial statement to a public bulletin board service. In that statement, he reported "…I really want to emphasize that I was the one flying; [the CFI] wasn't responsible for anything. Additionally, in his initial statement, the private pilot reported, "I felt the fuel selector click into place, which is important." However, he did not visually verify that the selector was positioned to "RIGHT." The fuel selector was located on the left side of the cockpit and the private pilot was seated in the left seat.

In his subsequent written statement to the Safety Board, the private pilot reported that he hired the CFI to complete night currency, practice landing the airplane at night, and complete a phase of the WINGS program. In that statement, the private pilot reported "Then I reached down and moved the fuel selector clockwise from the left tank (approx. 10:30 on the circular selector) toward 12:00 and then on toward the right tank. I stopped moving it when I felt a click, which I believed to be the right tank detent."

During a telephone interview, the private pilot stated that he did not move the selector after the accident.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel selector was in the "OFF" position. Additionally, a photograph from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff confirmed that the fuel selector was in the "OFF" position after the accident, and before any emergency personnel disturbed the cockpit. The photograph revealed that "LEFT" was at an approximate "10:30 position," and "RIGHT" was at an approximate "1:30 position." The selector was positioned to "OFF" at the approximate "4:30 position."

NTSB Probable Cause

The private pilot's failure to verify the fuel tank selector position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing.