# NTSB BFO94LA053: Piper PA-24- 260, N9322P, Stow, MA, February 28, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 28, 1994, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Stow, MA - Location: 42.4370° N, 71.5056° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stow, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4370&lon=-71.5056&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 October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8900/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA053 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN TO COMPLETE A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. ## 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) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 3 DURING A DARK NIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES IN A WOODED AREA. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE EARLIER FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE RIGHT AUXILIARY TANK. HE STATED THAT HE LANDED AND PICKED UP A PASSENGER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COMPLETED AN ABBREVIATED CHECKLIST WHICH INCLUDED CHECKING THE POSITION OF THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SELECTOR. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON 'A MAIN TANK.' AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT FOUND THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE RIGHT AUXILIARY FUEL TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF A MORE DELIBERATE CHECK OF THE STATUS OF THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ACCOMPLISHED. ## Factual narrative On Monday, February 28, 1994, at 1845 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-260, N9322P, impacted trees in a wooded area during a forced landing at Minute Man Airfield, Stow, Massachusetts. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, it was a dark night when he was taking off on runway 3. He stated that at 100 feet above the ground the engine lost power. He stated that due to insufficient altitude he was unable to restart the engine. The airplane impacted trees in a wooded area. The pilot stated that he had flown the airplane earlier for about an hour with the fuel selector on the right auxiliary tank. He stated that he landed and picked up his passenger and that he had completed an abbreviated checklist. The abbreviated checklist included checking the fuel pump and fuel selector. He stated that he thought the fuel selector was on "a main tank." An FAA aviation safety inspector examined the airplane. The examination revealed that the right auxiliary tank was empty and that the fuel selector was selected to the right auxiliary tank. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction, and the accident could have been prevented if "a more deliberate check of status of fuel selector" was accomplished. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9322P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9322P-2005-03-11), registration cancelled 2005-03-11, S/N 24-4819, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24- 260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4819 - Airframe hours: 4100 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-N1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stumpf, Bernard - Registered owner: Stumpf, Bernard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1994, 2 hours before - Destination: 6B6 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BED, 10 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 19940228003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940228003059A), Feb 28, 1994: Piper PA24260, Stow, MA, Substantial damage. Engine quit 100AGL on takeoff. Hit trees. Found fuel selector on right empty aux tank. Failed check selector. 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.