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NTSB Report
November 12, 1989 · Piper PA-28-180 · N8470W
Hillsboro, OR
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hillsboro, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N8470W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA90LA013
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD FUELED THE AIRPLANE FROM AND UNFILTERED BARREL. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT HAD INTENDED TO JUST REPOSITION THE AIRPLANE FROM THE RAMP TO A HANGAR BECAUSE OF RAIN SHOWERS THE DAY BEFORE. AFTER THE PILOT STARTED THE ENGINE, WITHOUT PERFORMING A PREFLIGHT, DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AROUND THE PATTERN TO DRY IT OFF. A NORMAL RUN-UP WAS PERFORMED AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS SELECTED. AFTER TAKEOFF AT APPRX 300 FT AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT. A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED WITH NO SUCCESS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCED LANDED IN A SOFT FIELD. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT WHO IS AN A&P MECHANIC DRAINED THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND INSPECTED THE GASCOLATOR. BOTH WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL CONTAMINATION AND THE PILOTS LACK OF PEFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD FUELED THE AIRPLANE FROM AND UNFILTERED BARREL. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT HAD INTENDED TO JUST REPOSITION THE AIRPLANE FROM THE RAMP TO A HANGAR BECAUSE OF RAIN SHOWERS THE DAY BEFORE. AFTER THE PILOT STARTED THE ENGINE, WITHOUT PERFORMING A PREFLIGHT, DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AROUND THE PATTERN TO DRY IT OFF. A NORMAL RUN-UP WAS PERFORMED AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS SELECTED. AFTER TAKEOFF AT APPRX 300 FT AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT. A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED WITH NO SUCCESS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCED LANDED IN A SOFT FIELD. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT WHO IS AN A&P MECHANIC DRAINED THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND INSPECTED THE GASCOLATOR. BOTH WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 PST
Nearest AirportStarks Twin Oaks (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN8470W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO