Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32-260 near Peoria, IL — 2009-10-18

Final reportCEN10LA023
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Date
2009-10-18
Location
Peoria, IL, USA
Airport
PIA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32-260
Registration
N3357W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during climb out after takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing to a roadway.

NTSB narrative

The accident occurred about 8 minutes after takeoff on the final leg of a three leg cross-country flight. The pilot reported engine roughness followed by a partial loss of engine power during the climb out after takeoff, followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot’s attempts to restore engine power were not successful and he subsequently executed a forced landing onto a road about 7 miles from the departure airport. The right main landing gear struck a traffic light during the approach and the airplane landed hard. A post impact fire ensued and the pilot evacuated the airplane without injury. Post-accident examination of the engine and associated components did not reveal anomalies consistent with a pre-impact failure or malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels and tank selection before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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