# NTSB ATL98LA037: Piper PA-38-112, Deland, FL, February 8, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1998, 17:49 local (22:49 UTC)
- Place: Deland, FL
- Coordinates: 29.059309, -81.230072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0593&lon=-81.2301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA037

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to the pilots inadequate fuel management.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff

## Analysis

According to the pilot, after takeoff, about 30 to 40 feet, the engine had a sudden loss of power. A forced landing was attempted straight ahead, with the airplane coming to rest in a plant nursery. An on-scene investigation revealed that there was no fuel in the right fuel tank.  The fuel selector was found in the right tank position.

## Factual narrative

On February 8, 1998, at 1749 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38-112, N925IT, collided with a plant nursery after departure from runway 27 at Bob Lee Flight Strip Airport in Deland, Florida.  The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed.  Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, the airplane had a sudden drop in RPM about 30 to 40 feet above the ground.  He attempted a forced landing straight ahead.  The airplane collided with a plant nursery.

The FAA investigator who examined the airplane stated there was no fuel in the right tank and 10 to 15 gallons in the left tank.  The fuel selector was in the right tank position.  The fuel contained no water or contamination.  The FAA investigator stated there was three tablespoons of fuel in the gascolater and two tablespoons in the carburetor sump.  The engine ran normally during testing when using fuel from the left tank.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N925IT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0297
- Airframe hours: 5840
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Spruce Creek Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1998
- Departed: 1J6, FL
- Destination: 44J, SPRUCE CREEK, FL
- Airport: 1J6, Bob Lee Flight Strip, runway 27, 3,300 × 72 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 326 total, 45 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 15 nm away

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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