A devastating plane crash in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 4, 2024, claimed the lives of an entire family, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has now attributed the likely cause to pilot error involving an incorrect fuel selector setting, leading to engine failure.

The Dotsenko family lost five members in the crash of a single-engine Piper PA-32RT, with the pilot’s actions during the aircraft's landing approach the subject of heavy scrutiny, as Yorkregion.com reports.

The journey began with the Dotsenko family leaving their home for what was supposed to be a standard flight with multiple stops for refueling. The family, including Victor Dotsenko, his wife Rimma, and their three children, were aboard the aircraft.

Early in the day, the Dotsenkos had safely navigated from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Mount Sterling, Kentucky, making necessary stops for fuel. Their final intended destination was John C. Tune Airport in Nashville.

Details of Doomed Flight's Final Leg

Victor, who piloted the plane, had accumulated approximately 200 hours of total flight experience. This included 43 hours in the specific model they were flying and 18.5 hours of nighttime flying.

The flight from Mount Sterling to Nashville was scheduled to be routine, climbing to an altitude of 10,500 feet without reported issues.

However, complications arose when Victor overshot the destination airport. He did not provide air traffic control with an explanation for this maneuver. Shortly thereafter, the situation deteriorated rapidly as the pilot reported engine failure.

The engine issues were preceded by witness reports of unusual noises: the engine sputtered and emitted popping sounds, indicating irregular performance. These auditory cues were critical early signs of the impending disaster.

Final Moments Before Crash Scrutinized

Desperate communications caught by air traffic control reveal Victor’s struggle to maintain control of the aircraft.

“My engine turned off, I’m at one thousand, six hundred,” he reported, followed by, “I’m going to be landing, I don’t know where.”

Responsive to the unfolding emergency, the controller cleared Victor for an immediate landing. Despite this, the pilot responded that he was “too far away” to reach the runway. These communications underscore the rapid descent into a critical state.

The NTSB report sheds light on what likely went wrong. “This setting would starve the engine of fuel and was likely the result of the pilot changing the fuel selector handle in preparation for landing,” it states. The incorrect setting between the "off" position and the left main tank was crucial.

Technical Insights from NTSB Findings

The investigation ruled out any mechanical malfunctions apart from the fuel selector issue. “Given the lack of other mechanical anomalies found during the examination, it is likely that the pilot moved the fuel selector at some point during the overflight and approach, but failed to fully seat the selector in position, resulting in a restricted fuel flow that was less than that needed to sustain engine power,” explained the NTSB. Following the loss of engine power, the remaining altitude and distance were insufficient for a safe glide back to the runway.

The aircraft ultimately crashed on a highway shoulder near Nashville around 7:45 p.m. Central time. This location was close but tragically not close enough to the intended target of John C. Tune Airport.

This incident highlights the critical importance of detailed pre-flight planning and the precise operation of aircraft controls.

Pilot training on fuel management and emergency procedures will likely be scrutinized in the wake of this tragedy to prevent similar future occurrences.

The loss of the Dotsenko family is a poignant reminder of the responsibilities pilots bear and the unforgiving nature of aviation under certain circumstances.

The NTSB's conclusions serve as a crucial learning point for the aviation community, underscoring the need for meticulous attention to every aspect of flight operation. Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of the Dotsenkos during this difficult time.