# NTSB CHI85LA349: Piper PA-20, N7665K, Bay City, MI, August 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1985, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Bay City, MI
- Coordinates: 43.599983, -83.950691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6000&lon=-83.9507&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): 13193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA349

## 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 - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A HARD FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT AN ALT OF APRX 250 FT AGL, THE ENG QUIT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT TANK WHICH CONTAINED APRX 2 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND APRX 2/3 FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7665K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7665K), registered now, S/N 20-486 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20486
- Airframe hours: 1377
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1980, 52 hours before
- Departed: 3CM, BAY CITY, MI
- Destination: MBS, SAGINAW, MI
- Airport: 3CM, James Clements

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,334 total, 600 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 8 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 19850816039409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850816039409A), Aug 16, 1985: Piper PA20, Bay City, MI, Substantial damage. Fuel selector on near empty tank for takeoff. Engine quit, hard forced landing. Aircraft out of annual,no fuel STC.

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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