Fuel selector selects wrong tank on PA39!! Dangerous!!

[ComBE]

Hi,

Yesterday we noticed something very odd. While we where draining fuel the left fuel selector didn't felt 'good'

When we checked the settings, something didn't fit right. It seems to be that whatever we tried we couldn't get the left fuel selector select it just to the stoppers like the right selector was doing (correctly)

As you can see on the 2 pics I took, we had to put the selector on OFF to select the main tank!!!!

Luckely we found this because if we would have putted it on the aux it would be on the off position.

Now my question is, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE ?????? We flew correctly days before, I have no clue how this all of the sudden came like this ?

Thanks

[N3322G]

In the 39 years we've had PA39-10 in the family, I can recall at least once where the right selector and quantity gauge indicated main but would only burn aux which resulted in a surprise single engine, single pilot IFR approach in hard IMC with 3 kids and Mom on board 60 days after Dad had died - ATP Mom handled it well. I was right seat but with no license. Memorable flight. She made it look easy but there was enough tension in her voice that we were all extremely quiet as we'd been taught to be during take-offs and landings.

Believe there is an AD that addresses this issue.

Second. After tip tanks were added in 1992, during the 2006 annual, wires were dislodged for the right selector and then re-attached incorrectly. I personally experienced the following. All indicators said we were on the full aux but we were really burning the tip tank which was nearly empty. In IMC at 5,000 feet the right engine almost died of fuel starvation, fuel pumps on and changed to main and engine caught.

As much as I whined to the insurance company about annually practicing single engine emergency procedures, I was very happy to be current and comfortable with the procedures, even if it still gives you an adrenaline jolt when it happens 'for real'.

Perhaps someone else can help with the AD or you can search for it from the Home page on this site.

Hopefully one of these examples applies to your situation and can be easily corrected.

I'd be interested in what you find.

[ComBE]

Thanks for your message, I hope really somebody chimes in to give me more info.

[Kristin Winter]

I have Maggie open for her annual. I will try to remember to take pictures in each configuration and send them to you.

[ComBE]

Thanks, really appreciate it.

[AlanBreen]

[N3322G]

[ComBE]