At about 08:50 PST, a Piper PA-32-300 lost power shortly after takeoff from Ukiah. The two occupants were not injured. The pilot said both fuel tanks were one inch from the top of the filler neck when the airplane departed Hayward, Calif., en route to Ukiah. He flew on the right tank on the first leg of the flight, and selected the right tank for takeoff on the return trip. He lost power at 500 feet after takeoff but did not switch fuel tanks. Inspection showed the fuel line to the engine was empty, the right fuel tank contained 12 ounces of fuel and the left fuel tank was filled to one inch below the filler neck.
Feb. 16, Ukiah, Calif. / Piper Cherokee Six
At about 08:50 PST, a Piper PA-32-300 lost power shortly after takeoff from Ukiah. The two occupants were not injured. The pilot said both fuel tanks were one inch from the top of the filler neck when the airplane departed Hayward, Calif., en route to Ukiah. He flew on the right tank on the first leg of the flight, and selected the right tank for takeoff on the return trip. He lost power at 500 feet after takeoff but did not switch fuel tanks. Inspection showed the fuel line to the engine was empty, the right fuel tank contained 12 ounces of fuel and the left fuel tank was filled to one inch below the filler neck....
Key Takeaways:
- An aircraft experienced power loss shortly after takeoff from Ukiah, but both occupants were uninjured.
- The pilot had used the right fuel tank for both legs of the flight, depleting it significantly.
- Investigation revealed the engine's fuel line was empty, the right tank had only 12 ounces of fuel, and the left tank remained nearly full, suggesting fuel starvation and a failure to switch tanks.
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