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NTSB Report
March 11, 1989 · Piper PA-28 · N4379X
Birmingham, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Birmingham, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N4379X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89DEC03
A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 FT AGL. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND RAILROAD TRACKS. THE AIRPLANE'S IGNITION SYSTEM WAS OPERATIONALLY CORRECT. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE FOR THIS FLIGHT. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANES FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM REVEALED IT TO BE OPERATIONALLY CORRECT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL WHICH CONTAINED NO FUEL.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN UNDETERMINED FUEL SYSTEM BLOCKAGE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 FT AGL. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND RAILROAD TRACKS. THE AIRPLANE'S IGNITION SYSTEM WAS OPERATIONALLY CORRECT. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE FOR THIS FLIGHT. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANES FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM REVEALED IT TO BE OPERATIONALLY CORRECT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL WHICH CONTAINED NO FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 EST
Nearest AirportOakland-Troy (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length3855 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN4379X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO