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NTSB Report
August 3, 1986 · Piper PA-28-180 · N9716J
Zellwood, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Zellwood, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N9716J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA227
THE FLT SUSTAINED ENG FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF & COLLIDED WITH A TREE NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT THE TAKE-OFF ROLL HAD BEEN 'SLUGGISH'. HE SAID THAT IT WAS HIS PRACTICE TO KEEP HIS ACFT OUTDOORS & TO ONLY FUEL THE TANKS TO ABOUT 1/2 CAPACITY SO AS TO AVOID THE WEIGHT PENALTY. HE LAST FLEW THE ACFT ABOUT 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FOR ABOUT 1/2 HR & HE DID NOT REFUEL AFTER THE LAST FLT. DURING PREFLT INSPECTION HE STATED THAT HE DRAINED A QUANTITY OF WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF RAIN IN THE AREA RECENTLY. HE STATED THAT HE HAD DRAINED WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM ON OTHER OCCASIONS DURING HIS PREFLT INSPECTIONS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AN EXAM OF THE GASCOLATOR REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY OF WATER.
Full Narrative
THE FLT SUSTAINED ENG FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF & COLLIDED WITH A TREE NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT THE TAKE-OFF ROLL HAD BEEN 'SLUGGISH'. HE SAID THAT IT WAS HIS PRACTICE TO KEEP HIS ACFT OUTDOORS & TO ONLY FUEL THE TANKS TO ABOUT 1/2 CAPACITY SO AS TO AVOID THE WEIGHT PENALTY. HE LAST FLEW THE ACFT ABOUT 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FOR ABOUT 1/2 HR & HE DID NOT REFUEL AFTER THE LAST FLT. DURING PREFLT INSPECTION HE STATED THAT HE DRAINED A QUANTITY OF WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF RAIN IN THE AREA RECENTLY. HE STATED THAT HE HAD DRAINED WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM ON OTHER OCCASIONS DURING HIS PREFLT INSPECTIONS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AN EXAM OF THE GASCOLATOR REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY OF WATER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN9716J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC