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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 6, 1994 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N5242T

Edgewater, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Edgewater, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N5242T
Operator
William W Hanson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO94LA127

Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot forced landed into trees about 1000 feet beyond the runway. The pilot stated that about 15 seconds after lift off, the engine powered back to idle. He reported the loss of power was not preceded with a 'bang' or 'pop' sound. The examination of the engine revealed evidence of water contaminated fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water contaminated fuel which resulted in fuel starvation.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 EDT
Nearest AirportLee Airport (1nm)
Runway30
Runway Length2505 ft
Runway Width48 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN5242T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam W Hanson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 2 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data