# NTSB CHI89DEC03: Piper PA-28, N4379X, Birmingham, MI, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, MI
- Coordinates: 42.53992, -83.209861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5399&lon=-83.2099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEC03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEC03

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED FUEL SYSTEM BLOCKAGE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 FT AGL. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN AND RAILROAD TRACKS. THE AIRPLANE'S IGNITION SYSTEM WAS OPERATIONALLY CORRECT. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE FOR THIS FLIGHT. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANES FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM REVEALED IT TO BE OPERATIONALLY CORRECT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL WHICH CONTAINED NO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4379X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4379X-1989-05-23), registration cancelled 1989-05-23, S/N 287625037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7625037
- Airframe hours: 1961
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond N. Borchers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1988, 9 hours before
- Departed: 7D2, TROY, MI
- Airport: 7D2, Oakland-Troy, runway 27, 3,855 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 336 total, 17 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890311003659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003659A), Mar 11, 1989: Piper PA28140, Troy, MI, Destroyed. Engine failed on climbout. Struck railroad tracks on forced landing. Small fire in engine after impact.

## Other investigations on N4379X (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 CHI77FET36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FET36), Sep 10, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N4379X), Coldwater, MI, 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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