# NTSB CHI84LA405: Piper PA-24-250, N7799P, Mackinac Island, MI, August 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1984, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Mackinac Island, MI
- Coordinates: 45.850463, -84.619598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8505&lon=-84.6196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA405
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA405

## 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)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF 40 FEET AGL A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. HE REPORTED HE LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED INTO A FIELD OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, INTO WEEDS BEFORE IT STRUCK A STEEL FENCE POST. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAIN AND RIGHT AUX TANK WERE ONE INCH BELOW FULL WHEN VISUALLY CHECKED AND THE INDICATORS SHOWED FULL. THE LEFT AUX TANK WAS HALF FULL AND THE INDICATOR SHOWED EMPTY. THE RT MAIN TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE INDICATOR SHOWED 1/8 OF A TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND TO BE ON THE LEFT MAIN TANK BUT THE PILOT STATED HE SWITCHED TANKS AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT STATED HE COULD NOT REMEMBER WHICH FUEL TANK HE TOOK OFF ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7799P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3017
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leon J. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1984
- Destination: DTW, DETROIT, MI
- Airport: Y84, Mackinac Island, runway 26, 3,510 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,242 total, 1,242 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLN, 19 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 19840812039999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840812039999A), Aug 12, 1984: Piper PA24250, Mackinac Island, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Landed on runway but ran off end into a fence. One tank empty. Indicates pilot error.

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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