Piper PA28 N5242W accident near French Lick, Indiana

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper in-flight decision making which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported he’d departed from his home airport on a personal flight with 8 to 9 gallons of fuel in the left tank and 6 to 7 gallons of fuel in the right tank. He planned to use the left fuel tank for most of the flight, then switch to the right tank upon returning to the airport for touch-and-go-landings. The pilot reported that he did not switch to the right tank and during the third touch-and-go landing the engine lost all power. The pilot applied carburetor heat but did not remember to switch fuel tanks. The pilot made a forced landing into a wooded area near the airport and impacted trees and terrain, during which the right wing separated from the fuselage. The left wing, aft fuselage, and empennage sustained substantial damage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA068 for the full record.