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NTSB Report
July 6, 1989 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N9473N
Hilliard, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hilliard, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N9473N
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA185
THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED ABOUT 3 OZ OF WATER IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED DURING TESTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT SAID HE NORMALLY PARKED THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN T HANGAR WITH FUEL TANKS PARTIALLY FILLED. ADDITIONALLY THERE WERE HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA SINCE THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST FLOWN, THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE FUEL SUMPS WERE DRAINED, 19.9 GAL. OF FUEL ADDED, BUT NOT REDRAINED FOLLOWING THE FUELING.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT EXAMINATION BY THE PILOT, AFTER REFUELING, WHICH FAILED TO DETECT WATER IN THE FUEL.
Full Narrative
THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED ABOUT 3 OZ OF WATER IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED DURING TESTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT SAID HE NORMALLY PARKED THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN T HANGAR WITH FUEL TANKS PARTIALLY FILLED. ADDITIONALLY THERE WERE HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA SINCE THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST FLOWN, THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE FUEL SUMPS WERE DRAINED, 19.9 GAL. OF FUEL ADDED, BUT NOT REDRAINED FOLLOWING THE FUELING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN9473N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 11 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC