Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
NTSB analysis
During the approach to land, the engine "missed a few times and stopped." The pilot began to trouble shoot the loss of engine power and prepare for a forced landing. He stated that when he checked the fuel selector valve, it moved further to the left which surprised him. During a forced landing to a field the nose wheel collapsed and the left wing was substantially damaged. The fuel selector valve was found in the "off" position. The right-wing fuel tank contained ½ gallon or less of fuel and the left-wing fuel tank contained 36 to 37 gallons of fuel. After the airplane was recovered from the field, fuel was added to the fuel tanks. The engine started without hesitation and ran for several minutes at various power settings without any anomalies or issues. An examination of the remaining airplane, engine, and fuel-related systems revealed no mechanical anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA459 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 25, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sedalia, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Sedalia Regional Airport (KDMO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dawn
Piper PA 32R-301T
- N-number
- N532DR
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1998
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.