SEA95LA044

Factual narrative

On January 26, 1995, at 1816 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-24, N9201P, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of power immediately after take off at Salem, Oregon. The flight instructor and his student were uninjured. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which had a destination of Cresswell, Oregon. There was no fire, and the ELT did not activate. Both the flight instructor and student stated that after run-up, the fuel selector was changed from one main fuel tank to the other. After takeoff, at about 150 feet, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of power. The aircraft was landed straight ahead on remaining runway, with the landing gear retracted, causing substantial belly damage. Both the flight instructor and student stated that when the fuel selector position was changed, it had not completely engaged the detent. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT, THE DUAL STUDENT CHANGED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM ONE MAIN TANK TO ANOTHER. AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE ENGINE STOPPED DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS NOT IN THE DETENT, AND THAT HE HAD INADEQUATELY MONITORED THE STUDENT'S POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12