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:
- A Piper PA-32-300 lost power shortly after takeoff from Ukiah, though its two occupants were uninjured.
- The pilot had flown to Ukiah using the right fuel tank and selected it again for takeoff on the return trip.
- Despite a full left fuel tank, the pilot did not switch tanks after power loss, leading to the right tank being nearly empty and the fuel line to the engine dry.
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