# NTSB ATL90FA110: Piper PA-28-180, N9538J, Hilton Head, SC, May 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1990, 08:05 local (12:05 UTC)
- Place: Hilton Head, SC
- Location: 32.2163° N, 80.7526° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hilton Head Island, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2163&lon=-80.7526&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM THROUGH INADVERTANT SELECTION OF THE 'OFF' POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE HANDLE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - switched off
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE HANDLE WAS FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION. PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 840, WHICH INCORPORATED A NEW FUEL SELECTOR VALVE COVER AND MATING HANDLE (TO PRECLUDE INADVERTENT SELECTION OF THE 'OFF' POSITION) WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH. THE PILOT HAD LOGGED ONLY 1.2 HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF INFLIGHT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9538J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9538J-1993-07-20), registration cancelled 1993-07-20, S/N 283666 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3666
- Airframe hours: 2396
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jimison, Sandra H.
- Registered owner: Sandra H Jimison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1990, 9 hours before
- Airport: 49J, Hilton Head Island, runway 21, 4,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 211 total, 1 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 49J, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900508014789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900508014789A), May 8, 1990: Piper PA28180, Hilton Head Is, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crashed into trees. No defects. Fuel selector in off position. Service bulletin not done.

## Other investigations on N9538J (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 NYC73DKM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DKM01), Jul 25, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N9538J), Lenoir, NC, substantial damage

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.

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