# NTSB CHI85FEE01: Piper PA-28-161, N8243S, Schaumburg, IL, April 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1985, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Schaumburg, IL
- Coordinates: 41.980525, -88.080696 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9805&lon=-88.0807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEE01

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AFTER ABOUT 1 HR OF FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER A TOUCH-&-GO AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL. A TOWN & SOME BLDGS WERE AHEAD, SO THE CFI MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO TRY TO REACH THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD. HOWEVER, THE ACFT MUSHED INTO TREES BEFORE HE COULD REACH THE FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO AN EMPTY (LEFT) FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK. THE STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR HAD VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE CFI ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GAL REMAINING WITH THE LEFT TANK BEING THE FULLEST (FUEL LEVEL JUST BELOW THE TABS IN THAT TANK). THE FLT WAS CONDUCTED BY USING FUEL FROM ONLY THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8243S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8243S-2012-12-28), registration cancelled 2012-12-28, S/N 28-8216178, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8216178
- Airframe hours: 28628
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Holiday Airways,Inc.
- Registered owner: Paul D. Drake
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 1985, 628 hours before
- Departed: 06C
- Destination: O6C
- Airport: 06C, Schaumburg, runway 28, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,100 total, 800 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 9 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 19850405012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850405012109A), Apr 5, 1985: Piper PA28161, Schaumburg, IL, Destroyed. Lost engine power on takeoff. Landed in trees. Fuel selector still on empty tank after crash.

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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