# NTSB CHI84LA265: Piper PA-32-260, N40712, Kankakee, IL, June 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1984, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Kankakee, IL
- Coordinates: 41.110942, -87.860725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1109&lon=-87.8607&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA265

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF & THE ACFT LANDED IN A BEAN FIELD. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE EMPTY RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK. THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK & TIP TANKS WERE FULL OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40712](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40712-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 32-7400021, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327400021
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Val J. Bylaitis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1984
- Destination: LOT, ROMEOVILLE, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 47 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW, 43 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 19840625027659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840625027659A), Jun 25, 1984: Piper PA32260, Kankakee, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff due to fuel starvation. Fuel selector was on an empty tank. Other tank was full.

## Other investigations on N40712 (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 CHI99LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA065), Jan 17, 1999: Piper PA-32-260 (N40712), St. Charles, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight/planning preparation which led to inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and him…

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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