# NTSB ATL91FA099: Piper PA-28-140, N6634W, Surf Side Beach, SC, May 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1991, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Surf Side Beach, SC
- Coordinates: 33.630264, -78.969558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6303&lon=-78.9696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA099

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT, IN THAT HE FAILED TO TURN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SELECTOR 'ON' PRIOR TO STARTING THE ENGINE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SELECTOR VALVE LEAKING ENOUGH FUEL TO THE ENGINE IN THE 'OFF' POSITION TO RUN THE ENGINE AT LOW POWER SETTING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - switched off (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - leak (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED THE 4000 FOOT SOD RUNWAY 22 AT THE PRIVATE AIRFIELD IN SURF SIDE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TALL TREES FOUR TENTH'S OF A MILE OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF PREVIOUSLY, HAD ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, AND RETURNED TO THE EXTREME END OF THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO THIS TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE 'OFF' POSITION. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT GASOLATOR OR CARBURETOR AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT FUEL WOULD NOT PASS THROUGH THE SELECTOR VALVE IN THE 'OFF' POSITION UNTIL THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS TURNED 'ON'. A TEST RUN OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT WITH THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST IN THE 'ON' POSITION, AND THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE IN THE 'OFF' POSITION, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE WOULD START AND OPERATE AT LOW POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6634W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6634W-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 28-20732, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20732
- Airframe hours: 3244
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Riggott, Robert C. & Lois J.
- Registered owner: Riggott, Robert C. & Lois J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1991, 14 hours before
- Destination: 49J, HILTON HEAD, SC
- Airport: SC28, Javika, runway 22, 4,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 224 total, 14 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYR, 5 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 19910527017219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910527017219A), May 27, 1991: Piper PA28140, Surf Side Beach, SC, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Took off with fuel selector in off. Barely cleared trees on climb. Engine quit,hit trees. Engine would run boost on

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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