Piper PA-32RT-300 accident near Millen, Georgia, January 26, 2014
On January 26, 2014 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300, registered N36086, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Millen, Georgia (Private Strip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to fully seat the fuel selector in the left tank position before takeoff, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 26, 2014 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Millen, Georgia · Private Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300, built 1978 · all PA-32RT-300s on the register
- Registration
- N36086 · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7885157
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/owner said that the preflight, engine start, run-up, and taxi checks all appeared "normal" with no anomalies noted. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot lowered the landing gear and maneuvered the airplane toward an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck baled hay on the border of the field and came to rest inverted with the wings separated. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector lever was adjacent to the left tank position but that it was out of the left tank detent. Manipulation of the lever revealed smooth operation and positive detents at each position selected. A can of fuel was plumbed into the fuel system, and the propeller and starter were replaced due to impact damage. The engine was then started, and it accelerated smoothly and ran without interruption with no anomalies noted. It is likely that the fuel selector being out of the of left tank detent resulted in reduced fuel flow to the engine and the subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Fuel starvation during takeoff defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incomplete action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 808 hours in all; 384 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 808 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 20, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,359 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 24, 2013; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 4,359 hours total
- Operator: H Kyle Gay M D INC
The flight
- Departed from: None Millen GA at 7:00 pm
- Destination: KMLJ Milledgeville GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,200 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KAGS, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on December 31, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Interview Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Recovery Technician Interview Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 1 – View of View of Airplane Facing Direction of Travel (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 2 - View of Main Wreckage as Found (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 3 – View of Fuel Selector as Found (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo 4 - View of Fuel Selector Place in Detent (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.