# NTSB CHI93LA366: Piper PA-32-300, N823PJ, Madison, WI, September 17, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1993, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Madison, WI - Coordinates: 43.099487, -89.500495 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0995&lon=-89.5005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9318 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9318/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA366 ## Probable cause the loose fuel selector handle/valve which resulted in an inability to properly switch fuel tanks. ## 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 - fuel system,tank - not switched - fuel system,selector/valve - loose (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The pilot made a forced landing in a field. The fuel selector was found in the right outboard tank position, and the handle was described as very loose. There was no fuel in the right outboard tank, but it also had a small hole in it caused by the forced landing. There was fuel in the other three tanks. The engine started and ran when the fuel selector was positioned to another tank. The Operator's Handbook states 'fuel selector on fullest main tank' for takeoff. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1993, at 1600 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N823PJ, sustained substantial damage in a forced landing, following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Morey Airport, Madison, Wisconsin. The private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane reported he found the fuel selector in the right outboard tank detent position, and that the selector handle was very loose. The left main and the left outboard tanks were one- third full. The right main was seven-eighths full. The right outboard was empty. There was a small hole in the right outboard tank as a result of the off-airport landing. The right outboard fuel gauge was placarded inoperative. The Piper Cherokee Six Operator's Handbook states the fuel selector should be on the "fullest main tank" for takeoff. When the fuel selector was moved to another tank the engine started and ran. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N823PJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N823PJ-1997-10-14), registration cancelled 1997-10-14, S/N 3240583 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3240583 - Airframe hours: 3804 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Northwest Flyers, Inc. - Registered owner: Three B'S Aero, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1993, 90 hours before - Destination: 06C, SCHAUMBURG, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 36 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 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 19930917035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930917035029A), Sep 17, 1993: Piper PA32300, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in field. Fuel selector empty right tank. Fuel in other tanks. ## Other investigations on N823PJ (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 CHI96FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96FA309), Aug 19, 1996: Piper PA-32-300 (N823PJ), Crystal Lake, IL, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate fuel management and which resulted in fuel system exhaustion. The factors involved were the pilot's failure to refuel, inadequate preflight planning/preparation and the dark… 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.