Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28 near Compton, CA — 2015-10-07

Final reportWPR16LA005
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Date
2015-10-07
Location
Compton, CA, USA
Airport
CPM
Aircraft
PIPER PA28
Registration
N7506W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was conducting a local personal flight. The student reported that, during climb to cruise, the engine experienced a total loss of power about 400 ft above ground level. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power; however, he was unsuccessful and then initiated a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence. Based on fuel receipts, information provided by another pilot about the airplane's use after its refueling, and fuel performance calculations, it was determined that the airplane likely contained about 21 gallons of fuel before the accident flight; however, the fuel quantity in each tank at the time of the loss of engine power could not be determined because the fuel tanks were breached during the accident sequence. A postaccident examination of the engine and the airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel in both tanks before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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