Piper PA-28-151 N1158X accident near Spearfish, South Dakota

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane’s airspeed was 70 mph when it was crossing the runway threshold, which was 10 mph slower than he normally landed the airplane. He decided to execute a go-around and flew the length of the runway before making the crosswind turn. When he turned left onto the downwind leg, the engine stopped producing power and he executed a forced landing to a field. He reported that he did not see a tree in the field and the right wing impacted the tree after the airplane touched down. Postaccident inspection of the left fuel tank revealed that it was full of fuel. There was no evidence of fuel in the right wing’s fuel tank. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane and that he did not switch the fuel tanks prior to landing, causing the engine to lose power due to fuel starvation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA430 for the full record.