# NTSB CHI90LA232: Piper PA-28-180, N55431, Lees Summit, MO, August 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1990, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lees Summit, MO
- Coordinates: 38.909095, -94.379867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9091&lon=-94.3799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA232

## Probable cause

CHECK LIST NOT FOLLOWED, FUEL SYSTEM NOT UNDERSTOOD, AND FUEL BOOST PUMP SELECTOR IMPROPERLY USED, BY THE PIC.

## 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
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 100 AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SAID THAT HE TURNED THE AUXILARY FUEL PUMP ON, THEN OFF, AND THE ENGINE RAN FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEW SECONDS. AN EMERGENCY LDG, STRAIGHT AHEAD, WAS ATTEMPTED WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES, THEN TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS, BUT FUEL STARVATION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55431](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55431-1992-09-21), registration cancelled 1992-09-21, S/N 287305383 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305383
- Airframe hours: 2189
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Midwest Executive Aircraft Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1990, 59 hours before
- Destination: 9K4, WARRENSBURG, MO
- Airport: K84, Mccomas, runway 18, 3,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 17 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GVW, 10 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 19900816033169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900816033169A), Aug 16, 1990: Piper PA28180, Lee'S Summit, MO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Put on fuel pump engine started. Turned pump off engine quit. Hit trees. No defects found.

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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