# NTSB DEN88LA197: Piper PA-24-260C, N9436P, Hamilton, MT, September 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1988, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, MT
- Coordinates: 46.160377, -114.139755 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1604&lon=-114.1398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear retraction - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS DESCENDING TO THE DESTINATION ARPT AT THE CONCLUSION OF A 3.5 HR X-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PLT SAID HE SELECTED THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK AND FLEW UNTIL THE 'FUEL WAS LOW TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION.' DURING A RIGHT TURN, WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. ALL SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS TO RESTORE POWER FAILED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT, AND RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR, BUT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A FIELD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT IMPACTED WHEELS UP, AND SKIDDED 60 YARDS PRIOR TO COMING TO REST. THE PLT FELT THAT THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP FAILED TO PROVIDE FUEL FAST ENOUGH AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION BY AN FAA INSPECTOR FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PRE-ACCIDENT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9436P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9436P), registered now, S/N 24-4944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4944
- Airframe hours: 1295
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-R1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ken A. France
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 28, 1988, 3 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Destination: 6S5

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 493 total, 200 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19880902036999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880902036999A), Sep 2, 1988: Piper PA24260, Hamilton, MT, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry. Was unable to start due to low fuel in other tank. Made hard, gear up landing short of the runway.

## Other investigations on N9436P (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 LAX74DUM31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74DUM31), May 13, 1974: Piper PA-24 (N9436P), Calexico, CA, 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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