# NTSB BFO94LA127: Piper PA-28R-200, N5242T, Edgewater, MD, August 6, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 1994, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Edgewater, MD - Coordinates: 38.899257, -76.539352 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8993&lon=-76.5394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8951 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8951/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water contaminated fuel which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,water - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot forced landed into trees about 1000 feet beyond the runway. The pilot stated that about 15 seconds after lift off, the engine powered back to idle. He reported the loss of power was not preceded with a 'bang' or 'pop' sound. The examination of the engine revealed evidence of water contaminated fuel. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 1994, at 1640 hours, a Piper PA-28R-200, N5242T, a local personal flight, had a loss of engine power and was forced landed shortly after takeoff from Lee Airport, Edgewater, Maryland. Visual meteorological conditions existed. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was destroyed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported: "About 15 seconds after takeoff, it felt like engine powered back to idle. I don't remember hearing engine noises, like bangs or pops. Just after engine failure, leveled aircaft, to maintain airspeed of 90 knots. Switched from left to right fuel tank, propeller still turning. I put my hand on electric fuel pump switch to check position, while trying to find a place to land. "Unable to restart engine, I made emergency landing in trees. Just prior to hitting trees, tried to bank left to avoid tree trunks, and pushed hard left rudder. Plane went nose down in small group of trees." According to the pilot, the airplane crashed 1000 feet off end of runway. The FAA examination of the airplane disclosed evidence of water at the fuel servo finger screen and that the right magneto was firing on two of its four contacts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5242T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5242T-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 28R-7235203, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7235203 - Airframe hours: 4784 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William W. Hanson - Registered owner: William W. Hanson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1994, 3 hours before - Airport: ANP, Lee Airport, runway 30, 2,505 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 295 total, 200 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 2 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F ## Other investigations on N5242T (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI89FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA109), Jun 16, 1989: Piper PA-28R-200 (N5242T), Saint Charles, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE MECHANIC TO PROPERLY INSPECT THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION. THIS FAILURE LED TO AIR STARVATION, LOSS OF POWER, AND A FORCED LANDING BY THE PILOT ONTO ROUGH… 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.