Pilot Debrief

Thomas C. Piper Murphy Rebel near Idaho Falls, ID — 2009-07-05

Final reportWPR09LA336
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Date
2009-07-05
Location
Idaho Falls, ID, USA
Airport
IDA
Aircraft
Thomas C. Piper Murphy Rebel
Registration
N5PQ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. The underlying reason for the fuel starvation condition could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

All systems operated normally during a pre-takeoff checkout of the airplane. During the initial climb, the engine performed normally. According to the pilot, upon climbing to about 400 feet above the runway, the engine lost all power. He turned the airplane toward an adjacent runway, but did not have sufficient altitude and airspeed to complete the maneuver and the airplane impacted the ground hard. An examination of the airplane's controls and engine revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions. A small amount of fuel was found in the engine's flow divider, and no fuel was found in the fuel injector lines. The engine ran during a postaccident test run. No mechanical reason was found for the interruption of fuel flow to the engine. According to the pilot, the fuel tanks contained about 31 gallons of fuel when he took off.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Ensuring fuel flow continuity before takeoff could have prevented the loss of power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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