Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28-140 near Honolulu, HI — 2017-06-30

Final reportWPR17LA138
Sign in to save
Date
2017-06-30
Location
Honolulu, HI, USA
Airport
PHNL
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28-140
Registration
N4244T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined due to impact and fire damage.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that he conducted a preflight inspection to prepare for the local personal flight and that a minimum of 20 gallons of fuel was on board. He started the engine and taxied the airplane to an open area for a run-up. Shortly after takeoff, about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. He initiated an emergency landing to a riverbed. The airplane subsequently came to rest under a highway overpass and caught fire. Postaccident visual and engine examinations revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. Further, impact and fire damage precluded a determination of the cause of the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Switching fuel tanks before takeoff could have prevented the power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

Related mishaps