# NTSB CHI85LA294: Piper PA-28-161, N4349K, Schaumburg, IL, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1985, 20:00 local (Jul 17, 1985, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Schaumburg, IL
- Coordinates: 41.979839, -88.079231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9798&lon=-88.0792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA294

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - failure,partial (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT AN ALT OF APRX 200 FT AGL, DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB, A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR OCCURRED. A LEFT TURN WAS MADE IN AN ATTEMPTTO AVOID BUILDINGS AND THE LANDING WAS MADE IN A FLD ADJACENT TO THE RWY. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED BTW THE LEFT TANK AND OFF POSITIONS.THE FUEL DETENT WAS DEPRESSED AND CARPET FIBERS WERE FOUND IN THE DETENT. THE ENG WAS TEST RUN AND WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PLACED BTW THE LEFT TANK AND OFF POSITIONS, THE ENG WOULD QUIT WITHIN 3 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4349K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4349K-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 28-8416067 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 84-6067
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Holiday Airway,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 11, 1985, 1 hours before
- Airport: 06C, Schaumburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 66 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHI, 619 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 19850716032239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850716032239A), Jul 16, 1985: Piper PA28161, Schaumburg, IL, Substantial damage. Landed in swamp after power loss on takeoff. Fuel selector improperly positioned, detent not easy to discern.

## Other investigations on N4349K (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 CHI08CA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA285), Sep 18, 2008: Piper PA-28-161 (N4349K), Lakeville, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's lack of clearance from the approach lights and the distraction of those bright approach lights during his night approach.

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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