Stafford Regional Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Stafford, Virginia 22406
Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:05 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that he was conducting a GPS instrument approach with the autopilot engaged when the engine lost power. The pilot chose to land in a nearby field because he determined that the airplane could not reach the airport. He adjusted the airplane to obtain the best-glide airspeed and performed remedial actions, but the engine power was not restored. The airplane struck trees, terrain, and a bulldozer in a construction area where it came to rest. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had adequate fuel and that the fuel selector handle was in an intermediate position between the left- and right-tank positions. After the floor was removed from above the fuel selector valve, a visual inspection revealed that the fuel selector valve's lever arm was in an approximate right-tank position but that it was not seated fully in the right-tank detent position. When manipulated, the lever arm was able to be seated fully in the detent of the right-tank position. Further movement of the lever arm revealed that it moved smoothly through its entire range and that it seated fully in both detent positions. Postaccident examination revealed no anomalies of the fuel system that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of data downloaded from the primary flight display and multifunction display revealed engine rpm and fuel flow values consistent with a final approach profile until a significant fuel flow drop occurred, which was followed 6 seconds later by a loss of engine rpm. The data were consistent with a loss of engine power due to the fuel selector being placed in an intermediate position during an attempted fuel tank switch.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's improper placement of the fuel tank selector handle during approach, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 3/17/2013
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 705
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Stafford
Event State VIRGINIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 22406
Event Date Year 2013
Event Date Month 3
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 382212N
Event Location Longitude 0772548W
Event Location Airport Stafford Regional Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID RMN
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 3
Degrees magnetic from airport 110
Airport Elevation 211
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 715 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 270
Weather Observation Facility ID RMN
Elevation of weather observation facility 211
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 3
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 3700
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Scattered
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 5
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 2
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 1
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.1
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 2
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 32112
NTSB Notification Source FAA AEA ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 2 2013 3:36PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N32EV
NTSB Number ERA13LA173
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed IFR
Flight plan Was Activated? Yes
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT INC
Aircraft Model PA32-301FT
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 3232058
Certified Max Gross Weight 3600
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 6
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Aug 3 2012 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 100
Airframe Hours 800
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name TOTAL SECURITY PRODUCTS CORP
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City IRVINGTON
Aircraft Owner State VA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 22480-0237
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name Alberto Toledo
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City IRVINGTON
Operator State VA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 22480-0237
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Business
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code W75
Departure City Saluda
Departure State VA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 626
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code RMN
Destination City Stafford
Destination State VA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Dec 2 2013 3:38PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 33
Runway Length 5000
Runway Width 100
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --