# NTSB CHI04CA210: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N77782, Plymouth, MI, July 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2004, 15:19 local (19:19 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, MI - Coordinates: 42.348056, -83.45639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3481&lon=-83.4564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59966/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA210 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power at a low altitude due to a fuel flow restriction caused by vapor lock. Factors to the accident included the high atmospheric temperature and the road sign that the airplane impacted during the forced landing. ## 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 - vapor lock (cause) - fuel system - flow restricted (cause) - altitude - low (cause) - weather condition - temperature,high (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - sign (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground - Fire, other ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed during a post-impact ground fire, following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing. The pilot reported he had landed and shut down the engine for a few minutes prior to loading his two passengers for a local flight. The pilot stated the airplane contained 35 gallons of fuel prior to the accident flight. The pilot reported the engine "shuddered" during takeoff roll and he aborted the takeoff. The pilot stated he then performed an engine run-up check and the engine "felt fine." The airplane experienced a loss of engine power while on the second takeoff attempt. The pilot stated he maneuvered the airplane to land on a nearby road and it impacted a road sign prior to coming to stop. An on-ground fire engulfed the airplane shortly thereafter. There were no anomalies noted with the engine during a post-accident operational test. The outside temperature at the time of the accident was approximately 28 degrees Celsius. A condition known as vapor lock can occur when engine heats the fuel lines and the contained fuel becomes a vapor. This tendency is increased if the fuel in the tank is warm, commonly as a result of high atmospheric temperatures. The fuel vapor can result in partial or complete interruption of fuel flow to the engine. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2004, at 1519 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T, N77782, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a post-impact ground fire following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing near Plymouth, Michigan. The airplane experienced the loss of engine power while on initial climb from runway 18 (2,556 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at the Canton-Plymouth-Mettetal Airport (1DS). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. One passenger reported minor injuries. The local area flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he had landed at 1500 and shut down the engine for a few minutes prior to loading his two passengers for a local flight. The pilot stated the airplane contained 35 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel prior to the accident flight. The pilot reported the engine "shuddered" during takeoff roll and he aborted the takeoff. The pilot stated he then performed an engine run-up check and the engine "felt fine." The pilot reported he taxied onto runway 18 and set the engine power to 2,500 rpm and 38 inches of manifold pressure. The pilot stated the airplane became airborne and experienced a loss of engine power while on initial climb. The pilot reported he switched fuel tanks, but there was no increase in engine power. The pilot stated the airplane descended under some power lines as he maneuvered the airplane to land on a nearby road. The pilot reported the airplane impacted a road sign prior to coming to stop and an on-ground fire engulfed the airplane shortly thereafter. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed the on-site investigation. The engine was removed from the accident airplane and mounted on a compatible airframe for an operational engine test. The engine started and idled without anomalies. The engine was then accelerated to 2,200 rpm which yielded approximately 80 lbs of oil pressure. The engine was then shut-off using the mixture idle cut-off. There were no anomalies noted with the engine during the operational test. The closest weather reporting station to the accident site was located at the Willow Run Airport (YIP), Detroit, Michigan, about 7.4 nautical miles (nm) southeast of the accident site. The airport is equipped with an Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS). The following weather conditions were reported prior to and at the time of the accident: At 1453 edt: Wind 230 degrees at 11 knots, visibility unrestricted at 10 statute miles (sm), few clouds at 5,000 feet above ground level (agl), temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point -01 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 29.90 inches-of-mercury. According to FAA publication AC 65-12A, fuel normally remains in a liquid state until it is discharged into the air stream and changes into a vapor. Under certain conditions the fuel may vaporize in the lines, pumps, or other fuel components. The vapor pockets formed by the premature vaporization can restrict the fuel flow through units that were designed to handle liquids rather than gases. The resulting partial or complete interruption of the fuel flow is called vapor lock. Transfer of heat from the engine tends to cause vaporization of fuel in the lines and the pump. This tendency is increased if the fuel in the tank is warm, commonly as a result of high atmospheric temperatures. Vapor lock can become serious enough to block the fuel flow completely and stop the engine. Even small amounts of vapor in the inlet line can restrict the fuel flow to the engine driven pump and ultimately reduce its output pressure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77782](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77782-2005-04-18), registration cancelled 2005-04-18, S/N 28R-8231044, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28RT-201T - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-8231044 - Airframe hours: 1285.3 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark Conrad Smith, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2004, 23 hours before - Departed: 1D2, Plymouth, MI - Destination: 1D2, Plymouth, MI - Airport: 1D2, Canton-Plymouth-Mettetal, runway 18, 2,556 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 26, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 154 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: YIP, 7 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 20040731018769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040731018769A), Jul 31, 2004: Piper PA28RT201T, Canton, MI, Destroyed. (-23) During take off aircraft experienced complete loss of power/thrust. PIC attempted to restore power by switching fuel delivery from the right tank to the… ## Other investigations on N77782 (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 CHI96LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA175), May 28, 1996: Piper PA-28-201T (N77782), Wichita, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty crosswind condition. 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.