# NTSB DFW08LA013: Piper PA-25-260, N9733P, Houston, TX, October 13, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2007, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.52111, -95.241943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5211&lon=-95.2419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66891 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66891/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly position the fuel tank selector before takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the non suitable terrain for the forced landing and fuel starvation. ## 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 tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot initiated an intersection takeoff while the fuel selector was between fuel tank detents. Shortly after takeoff, the engine experienced fuel starvation followed by a complete loss of engine power. During the forced landing, the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2007, about 1615 central daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA-25-260 tailwheel-equipped airplane, N9733P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The commercial rated pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Night Hawk Aerial Advertising. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 64-year old pilot reported that following a pre-flight inspection of the airplane, he performed an intersection takeoff from runway 14 for the purpose of executing touch-and-go maneuvers. When the airplane reached an approximate altitude of 150-feet above ground level (AGL) the engine began to "sputter" followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to perform an emergency landing to a field near the airport. While landing, the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain, nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. According to the operator, the airplane's left wing and vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage during the mishap. In addition, the operator reported that the fuel tank selector was found between the detent positions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9733P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9733P-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 25-7556049 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-7556049 - Airframe hours: 5000 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Registered owner: Night Hawk Aerial Advertising - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2007, 10 hours before - Departed: LVJ, Pearland, TX - Airport: LVJ, Pearland Regional Airport, runway 14, 4,313 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 5,100 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: LVJ ## 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 20071013825269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071013825269A), Oct 13, 2007: Piper PA25260, Houston, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On October 13, 2007, at approximately 1634 CDT, the pilot [privacy data omitted], the pilot in command of N9733P, a PA-25-260 aircraft, departed runway… ## Other investigations on N9733P (3) 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 FTW79DPD20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPD20), May 22, 1979: Piper PA-25 (N9733P), Anson, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW78DPD03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DPD03), Oct 19, 1977: Piper PA-25 (N9733P), Anson, TX, destroyed - [NTSB FTW77FPD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPD04), Nov 3, 1976: Piper PA-25 (N9733P), Anson, TX, 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. --- 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.