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NTSB Report
April 5, 1985 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8243S
Schaumburg, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8243S
Operator
Holiday Airways
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI85FEE01
THE STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AFTER ABOUT 1 HR OF FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER A TOUCH-&-GO AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL. A TOWN & SOME BLDGS WERE AHEAD, SO THE CFI MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO TRY TO REACH THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD. HOWEVER, THE ACFT MUSHED INTO TREES BEFORE HE COULD REACH THE FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY (LEFT) FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK. THE STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR HAD VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE CFI ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GAL REMAINING WITH THE LEFT TANK BEING THE FULLEST (FUEL LEVEL JUST BELOW THE TABS IN THAT TANK). THE FLT WAS CONDUCTED BY USING FUEL FROM ONLY THE LEFT TANK.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AFTER ABOUT 1 HR OF FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER A TOUCH-&-GO AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL. A TOWN & SOME BLDGS WERE AHEAD, SO THE CFI MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO TRY TO REACH THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD. HOWEVER, THE ACFT MUSHED INTO TREES BEFORE HE COULD REACH THE FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY (LEFT) FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK. THE STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR HAD VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE CFI ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GAL REMAINING WITH THE LEFT TANK BEING THE FULLEST (FUEL LEVEL JUST BELOW THE TABS IN THAT TANK). THE FLT WAS CONDUCTED BY USING FUEL FROM ONLY THE LEFT TANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CST
Nearest AirportSchaumburg (1nm E)
Runway28
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8243S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHoliday Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 11 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC