# NTSB CHI01LA197: Piper PA-28-140, N8007N, Mecosta, MI, July 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 2001, 16:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Mecosta, MI - Coordinates: 43.580585, -85.440338 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5806&lon=-85.4403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53263/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA197 ## Probable cause the inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and fuel starvation. Additional causes were the aircraft control not maintained, and the inadvertent stall by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation/exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was turning towards the departure airport following a reported sputtering of the engine by witnesses. The engine then stopped and the left wing dropped. Examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel lines leading to the carburetor. The fuel selector was positioned onto the left fuel tank which was found not to contain any usable fuel. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2001, at 1655 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N8007N, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during climbout from the Canadian Lakes Airport, Mecosta, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported that the airplane departed in a southerly direction. At approximately 200 feet agl, the engine began sputtering. The airplane made a right climbing banked turn and gained 50-100 feet at which time the engine quit. The engine stopped and the left wing dropped. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the fuel selector was selected to the left fuel tank. The left fuel tank did not contain fuel and the right tank contained 15 gallons of fuel. The fuel line from the electric pump to the engine driven pump did not contain fuel. The fuel line leading to the carburetor did not contain fuel. The carburetor fuel bowl contained fuel level which was less than 1/16 inch in depth. The engine was rotated and compression was obtained from all cylinders and engine continuity was established. Electrical continuity of both magnetos was confirmed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8007N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8007N-2002-02-11), registration cancelled 2002-02-11, S/N 28-25248, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25248 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Morris - Departed: 05C, Canadian Lakes, MI - Airport: 05C, Canadian Lakes, runway 18, 3,800 × 100 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,863 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: RQB, 15 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 20010703017119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010703017119A), Jul 3, 2001: Piper PA28140, Griffith, IN, No damage. (-23) Shortly after departure from the canadian lakes airport, stanwood, MI, N8007N'S engine failed. N8007N crashed while maneuvering in an attempt to return… ## Other investigations on N8007N (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 DEN79FQA50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FQA50), Sep 6, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N8007N), Gallup, NM, substantial damage 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.