# NTSB CHI84LA380: Piper PA-24-260, N499LG, Pontiac, MI, September 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1984, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Location: 42.6656° N, 83.4205° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OAKLAND COUNTY INTL (PTK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6656&lon=-83.4205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA380
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA380

## 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
  - fuel system,tank - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - not switched (cause)
  - checklist - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF CLIMB AT 400 FT AGL THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N499LG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2934
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert D. Allaben
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: PTK, Oakland-Pontiac, runway 27L, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 757 total, 526 in this make and model, 613 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK

## 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 19840902045439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840902045439A), Sep 2, 1984: Piper PA24260, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. During climbout from touch and go engine lost power. Landed wheels up. Pilot failed to switch to tank with fuel.

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.