# NTSB BFO89FA064: Piper PA-32-260, N3663W, Bradshaw, MD, July 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1989, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Bradshaw, MD
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11468/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA064

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 700 FT MSL ON TAKEOFF CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING. THE ACFT STRUCK A POWER LINE DURING THE LANDING APCH. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL BETWEEN THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE AND ENGINE. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED FOR THE LEFT MAIN TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR TESTED SATISFACTORY FOR THAT POSITION. THE FUEL BOOST PUMP SWITCH WAS OFF. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SYSTEM VENT OBSTRUCTION OR FUEL COMPONENT MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3663W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3663W-1989-12-21), registration cancelled 1989-12-21, S/N 32570 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-540
- Airframe hours: 3258
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: M&7 Property Mgmt. Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: 1W2, BALTIMORE, MD
- Destination: WWD, WILDWOOD, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 181 total, 10 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTN, 6 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 19890729025689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890729025689A), Jul 29, 1989: Piper PA32260, Bradshaw, MD, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Hit wires landing. Fuel starvation. Indicates failed use full tank. Did not use boost pump.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.