# NTSB BFO93LA008: Piper PA-28-161, N31634, Red Hook, NY, November 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1992, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Red Hook, NY
- Coordinates: 41.990657, -73.869689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9907&lon=-73.8697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA008

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, HE 'SWITCHED OFF THE AIRCRAFT HEADLIGHT.' THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.  DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE STOPPING.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED.  THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP SWITCH WAS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE LANDING LIGHT SWITCH; IT WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE BOOST PUMP WAS TESTED, AND IT OPERATED PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31634](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31634), registered now, S/N 28-7816570 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816570
- Airframe hours: 5379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: George Drobot, Jr., doing business as Red Hook Air Services
- Registered owner: George Drobot, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 1992, 43 hours before
- Departed: 46N
- Airport: 46N, Sky Park Airport, runway 19, 2,664 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 810 total, 300 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: POU, 25 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 19921113046689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921113046689A), Nov 13, 1992: Piper PA28161, Red Hook, NY, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Hit trees end of runway. Engine driven fuel pump quit. Turned off boost pump by mistake.

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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