Piper PA-24-250 N7910P accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Probable cause

The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was in cruise flight nearing the destination airport when the engine sustained a total loss of engine power. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted power lines and a grassy slope on the left side of a highway.

The left main fuel cell and left auxiliary fuel cell on the left wing were breached and could not be functionally tested. The right main fuel cell did not contain any fuel and the right auxiliary fuel cell was full of fuel. The fuel selector valve was set to the right main fuel cell. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not detect any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

After the accident, the pilot shared with a friend that he received a low fuel warning light while operating on the right main fuel cell. The pilot switched to the left main fuel cell; however, engine power did not return so he switched back to the right main fuel cell. Investigators were unable to ascertain what additional steps the pilot may have taken to restore engine power after initially switching to the left main fuel cell. The loss of engine power was likely due to fuel starvation as there was adequate fuel remaining in the right auxiliary fuel cell.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23FA360 for the full record.