# Accident 20200901009299A: Piper PA-24-250, Midland, MI, September 1, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 1, 2020, 12:45 local time
- Place: Midland, MI
- Airport: Jack Barstow
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.7581° N, 84.2661° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7581&lon=-84.2661&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5939P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5939P-2023-02-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-24-250 (registry code 7102404, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,013 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN20LA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA373) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200901009299A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 AT 12:45 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT), A PIPER PA-24-250 AIRCRAFT, N5939P, REGISTERED TO ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND OPERATED BY A PRIVATE PILOT FOR A PERSONAL FLIGHT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT STRUCK A LARGE GRASSY MOUND WHILE TRYING TO LAND IN A FIELD AFTER REPORTING AN ENGINE FAILURE.

VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND CALM WINDS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PRIVATE FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 91 WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN.  THE PILOT AND RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE FEMALE PASSENGER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM JACK BARSTOW AIRPORT, (KIKW) MIDLAND, MI AT APPROXIMATELY 12:30 EDT. THE PILOT PURCHASED 18 GALLONS OF FUEL AT KIKW AT 12:17 EDT THEN DEPARTED FROM RUNWAY 36. SIX MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT THE PILOT CALLED UNICOM AND REPORTED ENGINE TROUBLE AND STATED THAT HE WAS RETURNING FOR A LANDING. A FEW SECONDS LATER, HE REPORTED HE WAS GOING DOWN IN A FIELD.

WEATHER WAS REPORTED AT KIKW 9/1/2020 1635Z WIND CALM TEMP 73F DEW POINT 62 ALTIMETER 2923

EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A LARGE GRASSY MOUND IN A PASTURE AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT ABOUT 50 FEET NORTH WEST OF THE CRATER. ALL MAJOR STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE AIRPLANE STAYED INTACT. THE AUX FUEL PUMP AND SCREENS SHOWED SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL WITH NO CONTAMINATION. BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.  THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS RUPTURED. THE RIGHT TANK WAS INTACT BUT THE DRAIN VALVE WAS SHEARED OFF. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RIGHT TANK. THE WRECKAGE IS BEING TRANSPORTED TO A SECURE LOCATION FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS ON 6/16/2020.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN20LA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA373), Sep 1, 2020: Piper PA24 (N5939P), Midland, MI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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