N9237P

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-24-260S/N: 24-4736

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, October 3, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA10CA002
Location
Highgate, VT
Event ID
20091003X52024
Coordinates
44.940277, -73.097221
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
4
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper fuel management which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
24-4736
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1967
Model / ICAO
PA-24-260PA24
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
PA-24-260

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
CLOUD CLIMIBERS LLC
Address
1352 N CLEVELAND RD
City
LEXINGTON
State / Zip Code
KY 40509-9002
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was conducting multiple "Young Eagle" flights of 10 to 15 minutes' duration each. After taking off on the fifth flight, and as the airplane reached 300 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and verified that the fuel pump was on, but to no avail. He then force-landed the airplane on the departure end of the runway. However, the airplane continued off the end of the runway and through a grassy overrun for about 100 yards, until it impacted a fence, substantially damaging both wings. The pilot noted that there were two main fuel tanks and two auxiliary fuel tanks on the airplane, and that during the first four flights, he only utilized fuel from the left main tank. Prior to the fifth flight, both auxiliary tanks and the right main tank were full, and the left main tank indicated 1/4 full. The pilot initially switched fuel feed to the right main tank, but then decided to utilize the remaining fuel in the left main tank, and switched back to that tank before takeoff. Postflight examination of the left fuel tank revealed no fuel in the tank. The pilot also stated that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA002