Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water contaminated fuel which resulted in fuel starvation.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 6, 1994, at 1640 hours, a Piper PA-28R-200, N5242T, a local personal flight, had a loss of engine power and was forced landed shortly after takeoff from Lee Airport, Edgewater, Maryland. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was destroyed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot reported: "About 15 seconds after takeoff, it felt like engine powered back to idle. I don't remember hearing engine noises, like bangs or pops. Just after engine failure, leveled aircaft, to maintain airspeed of 90 knots. Switched from left to right fuel tank, propeller still turning. I put my hand on electric fuel pump switch to check position, while trying to find a place to land.
"Unable to restart engine, I made emergency landing in trees. Just prior to hitting trees, tried to bank left to avoid tree trunks, and pushed hard left rudder. Plane went nose down in small group of trees." According to the pilot, the airplane crashed 1000 feet off end of runway.
The FAA examination of the airplane disclosed evidence of water at the fuel servo finger screen and that the right magneto was firing on two of its four contacts.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# BFO94LA127