# NTSB CHI88LA232: Piper PA-32-260, N9346C, Watertown, WI, September 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1988, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, WI
- Coordinates: 43.190696, -88.720405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1907&lon=-88.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA232

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE FUEL TANK, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - misread, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT PLANNED A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP WITH PASSENGERS AND BECAUSE OF THEIR WEIGHT, HE ELECTED TO NOT FILL THE OUTBOARD TANKS WITH FUEL. HE TOOK OFF WITH THE EMPTY RIGHT OUTBOARD TANK SELECTED AND FUEL STARVATION OCCURRED AT 200' AGL. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID POWER LINES AND TREES WHEN THE ACFT STALLED AND DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9346C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9346C-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N 327800003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7800003
- Airframe hours: 2714
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air Water Town
- Registered owner: Charles P. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1988
- Departed: RYV, WATERTOWN, WI
- Destination: Y62, SAULT ST. MARIE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 436 total, 24 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UES, 23 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 19880908038499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880908038499A), Sep 8, 1988: Piper PA32260, Watertown, WI, Destroyed. Took off with fuel selector on a near empty tip tank. Engine died on climbout due to lack of fuel. Stalled on landing

## Other investigations on N9346C (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 CHI83LA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA394), Aug 28, 1983: Piper PA-32-260 (N9346C), Watertown, WI, substantial damage

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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