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NTSB Report
January 3, 1990 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N33685
Petersburg, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Petersburg, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N33685
Operator
Air Chesterfield
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO90LA019
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO CHECK THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NEWLY INSTALLED/OVERHAULED ENGINE. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE WAS RUN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR & NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE PILOT AND THE MECHANIC/PASSENGER REPORTED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED & THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT DID NOT CHANGE THE POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION & OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO FUEL CONTAMINATION OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. DURING THE CHECK, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING & THE ENGINE POWER WAS LOST ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL STARVATION AND IMPROPER USE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (FUEL SELECTOR) BY THE PILOT.
Full Narrative
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO CHECK THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NEWLY INSTALLED/OVERHAULED ENGINE. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE WAS RUN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR & NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE PILOT AND THE MECHANIC/PASSENGER REPORTED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED & THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT DID NOT CHANGE THE POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION & OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO FUEL CONTAMINATION OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. DURING THE CHECK, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING & THE ENGINE POWER WAS LOST ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest AirportPetersburg Muni (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN33685
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Chesterfield
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWIT