Date: 202105
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Tower, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operator: Fractional
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class D ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Fuel Selector
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Trainee; Student
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Student
Human factors: Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Confusion
Second reporter function: Instructor
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Other Climb
Result: Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Two flights ago in flight training my instructor had taught to keep fuel in mind and to switch tanks periodically during flight as well as when following the checklist. The next flight an engine failure was simulated and upon switching fuel tanks my instructor restored power to the aircraft. Both lessons were among the flight training lessons I had learned were in mind during this flight. I had rested well the night before; had eaten a good breakfast; was not on any medication; and all my paperwork was current. After taking off with full fuel tanks; the plane flew normally during VOR practice and soft field landings at ZZZ1 airport and the fuel tanks were switched about every 15 minutes. Upon returning to ZZZ; I followed the checklist and in doing so switched fuel tanks again. I then completed two landings and take offs. On the third my instructor initiated another simulated engine failure abeam the numbers on downwind. I thought of the previous lessons and decided to switch fuel tanks again after establishing the glide speed and planned to land on runway X. Once I was set up to land and on final for runway X my instructor allowed me to add power as I deemed necessary. The landing was successful and since we were doing touch and go's I set up the aircraft and added power for takeoff. After successful rotation I established the initial climb. About 50ft above the runway surface the engine lost power. My instructor took the flight controls then and landed back on runway X. We rolled off the runway threshold into the grass along the center line. The plane stopped before hitting the fence. The engine was still running at idle at that point; so my instructor radioed ZZZ Tower and they gave us clearance to taxi off the grass and onto the ramp but no further. After looking at the fuel selector switch my instructor and I determined that it was past the left fuel tank mark between it and the shutoff position. The stop that prevents pilots from going past the left fuel tank was not there.


Second narrative: I was the instructor giving instruction on a training flight to a student in an airplane owned by a flying club.  The student is a member in good standing with the club; and is nearing completion of his Private Pilot training.  We were in the process of prepping for his Practical Test by practicing VOR navigation; short field takeoffs and landings; and soft field takeoffs and landings.  We were returning from ZZZ1 to ZZZ after practicing on a sod runway.  We had entered left traffic on runway X per ZZZ tower instructions; and were remaining in the pattern for the option.  Tower had switched us to right traffic on runway X; which is normal procedure at ZZZ.  After several touch and goes; the student applied power; initiated rotation; started the climb and the engine lost power.  I took the controls and successfully landed on the remaining runway; but was unable to stop prior to running off the end of the runway and rolling out into the grass.  Fortunately; the aircraft was able to come to a complete stop prior to the boundary fence.In the past week leading up to this flight; I had to keep reminding the student to switch fuel tanks; stressing that it is most likely going to be the cause of an engine failure if he doesn't.  I had the opportunity to reinforce that during another subsequent flight prior to this one.  He was in the habit of not utilizing the checklist - not sure why; as it is something I mention on every flight.  Today's flight; I again had to remind him when to use the descent and before landing checklists.  Both of which call to verify that fuel is on the fullest tank.  We have previously discussed having a designated time to switch tanks on numerous occasions.  For some reason; he has never accepted any of the instruction I have been giving him.  Perhaps now he will.I noticed he was very busy on final this last trip around; and it appeared at this time he was switching tanks.  I have never instructed him to switch tanks on final before.  For some reason; he continues to do things in the airplane that were not taught; or are in direct opposition to what was being taught.  Most of them are minor; but fuel is something I'm very passionate about having on board.After the landing was completed; I looked over at the fuel selector valve which is hidden from my view in the right seat.  'Right' is at the 3 o'clock position with the plastic frame to guard it from going further.  'Left' is at the 12 o'clock position with the spring loaded stopper at the 6 o'clock position so you feel a 'click' when it is in the detent.  Off is at the 9 o'clock position; requiring the stop button to be depressed before it can be selected.  It was evident the stop button had broken off at some point.  When I examined the physical position of the selector switch; it was at the 10-11 o'clock position.  Not fully 'Off'; not fully 'Left.'  An engine run performed by us after being towed back to the FBO ramp verified the engine ran fine.  That's when we discussed the broken fuel selector valve.As the instructor; I monitor my student's preflight actions; but never really perform the preflight myself to verify the students actions unless I notice they miss something.  I have no reason to doubt my student did anything wrong during the preflight.  During the debrief; we reviewed the importance of a thorough preflight and proper maintenance.  We also performed an engine run per Maintenance's request.  There was nothing noted on engine performance; but while switching the fuel tanks; it was discovered that there was no 'click' when the Left tank was selected.My student may have felt a need to hurry things along with his training since he is leaving the area at the end of this semester.  Perhaps some basic knowledge was missed; he may have been stressed with school coming to a close; or any number of things that distracted him from truly paying attention to flying.I believe with the debrief we had; my student will now pay attention to appropriate times to switch fuel tanks rather than being so focused on one thing at a time.


Synopsis: Flight Instructor and student reported that the engine lost power after takeoff and the landing resulted in a runway excursion. Postflight; it was discovered the student had moved the fuel selector near the off position and the guard preventing this was broken.