That’s EXACTLY it, Yars. This isn’t a parts defect issue, it’s a pilot training and competency issue. Don’t just reach down and start turning the damn fuel selector blindly … STARE at it and decide what is the correct course of action.
THIS is why I HATE the FAA. They could screw up boiling water. And the ATL FSDO seems to be the worst. It seems – to me – as if engineers down there have to somehow satiate their bosses by writing useless yet costly (and grounding for the fleet), AD’s. STOP IT !!!
I DEMAND that the FAA reveal exactly how many PA28 airplanes have crashed because someone switched the fuel selector to “OFF” and the wasn’t savvy enough to turn it back on. Maybe those people oughta find a new hobby?
The FAA – and Piper – ought to be changing the checklists for these airplanes, not forcing people to pay ~$750 per airplane for a part they don’t need and will likely kill them if they DO crash and a fire ensues.