# NTSB CHI93FA225: Piper PA-24-250, N7779P, Elwell, MI, June 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1993, 12:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Elwell, MI - Coordinates: 43.420833, -84.759719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4208&lon=-84.7597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA225 ## Probable cause IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. ## 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 (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis A WITNESS REPORTED THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK AN OAK TREE AND CRASHED IN A CORN FIELD ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR OR CARBURETOR FUEL LINE. THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS ONE-HALF FULL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT MAIN TANK. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 26, 1993 at 1225 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N7779P, crashed after takeoff from the Hamp Airport, Elwell, Michigan. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot was fatally injured. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The airplane crashed in a field about one-half mile east of the airport it had just departed. A farmer who was plowing the field west of the crash site reported the engine sputtered and quit. The airplane struck a tree and crashed into a farm field. WRECKAGE The airplane struck an oak tree located in the fence line of the west side of a corn field, and crashed in the corn field 66 feet east of the tree. The flaps were down. The landing gear was down. The mixture was rich. The propeller lever was full forward. The throttle was closed. There was control continuity from the cockpit control pedestal to the rudder, stabilator, and both ailerons. The nose trim was set one division to the right. There was no fuel leakage at the crash site. The fuel tanks were dip checked with a ruler. The right main tank was empty, and there was no fuel visible in the tank. The left main tank was one-half full. The right auxiliary tank was one-quarter full. The left auxiliary tank was empty, and there was no fuel visible in the tank. When the carburetor fuel line was disconnected, no fuel ran from the carburetor or the main fuel line. The fuel selector was on the right main tank. No evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies were discovered with either the engine or the airplane. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION A toxicological examination was conducted. The results were negative. An autopsy was performed by Paul L. Ginther, M.D., at the Gratiot Community Hospital, Alma, Michigan. ADDITIONAL DATA The wreckage was released to Deputy Allen, Gratiot County Sheriff Department. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7779P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7779P-1993-12-08), registration cancelled 1993-12-08, S/N 242996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2996 - Airframe hours: 3810 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard C. Isles - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1993, 7 hours before - Destination: AMN, ALMA, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 631 total, 176 in this make and model, 608 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAN, 40 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 19930626020709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020709A), Jun 26, 1993: Piper PA24250, Elwell, WI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Struck a tree. Fuel selector on empty tank. Gear still down. No mechanical defects. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.