Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28R-200 near Mt. Vernon, TX — 2014-07-10

Final reportCEN14LA350
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Date
2014-07-10
Location
Mt. Vernon, TX, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28R-200
Registration
N9469N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

A witness reported that the engine was "backfiring" and that it "shut off" as the airplane flew over treetops low to the ground. The pilot made a forced landing, and, during the descent, the airplane collided with trees, continued into a field, and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks or on the ground near the airplane, and no fuel was found in the fuel lines or the engine-driven fuel pump. The gascolator was half full of fuel; however, if adequate fuel had been available, it is likely that the gascolator would have been full of fuel. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not conduct an adequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the airplane departing with insufficient fuel and resulted in a loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before takeoff to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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