# NTSB ERA09LA096: Piper PA-28-235, N38558, New Bern, NC, December 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 12, 2008, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: New Bern, NC - Coordinates: 35.203887, -77.141113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2039&lon=-77.1411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69591/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69591 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA096 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After last flying the airplane about 3 weeks prior, and servicing the airplane with fuel about 2 weeks prior, the pilot performed a preflight inspection and an extended run-up of the engine, noting no problems. During the takeoff, about 100 feet above the ground, the engine suddenly and completely lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane struck a ditch and was substantially damaged. Attempts to test run the engine after the accident were all unsuccessful, despite the fact that no mechanical anomalies of the engine were noted during a visual inspection of the engine. A review of aircraft maintenance records revealed that the airplane had flown less than 10 hours since the last annual inspection, about 11 months prior, and the engine had never been overhauled in the 31 years since it was produced. ## Factual narrative On December 12, 2008, about 1615 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N38558, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from a private airstrip near New Bern, North Carolina. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, and a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the airplane was last flown about 3 weeks prior to the date of the accident flight. About 2 weeks prior to the accident flight, the pilot fueled the airplane and attempted to fly again, but was unable to as the battery did not have sufficient power to start the engine. The pilot subsequently used a charging device to restore power to the airplane's battery. The pilot noted that the airplane had only flow about 10 hours during the past year, and that its oil was last changed during the annual inspection in January 2008. On the day of the accident flight, the pilot began the preflight inspection of the airplane about 1530. During the inspection he drained fuel samples and noted no abnormalities. Near the conclusion of the inspection, a friend of the pilot stopped by, and they talked for about 20 minutes. During the conversation, the pilot noted that fuel began running out of the fuel vent on the right wing. After concluding the conversation, the pilot boarded the airplane, started the engine, and let it run for 2 to 3 minutes before taxiing. The pilot taxied the airplane to the end of the runway, where he performed a runup check of the engine in accordance with the checklist. He also placed the fuel selector on the right main tank, in response to the fuel he noted running out of the vent. The pilot did not note any abnormalities during the runup, so he turned on the electric fuel pump and continued to let the engine run for about 5 minutes at 1,200 rpm to allow the oil temperature to increase. The pilot then increased the engine power and began the takeoff roll. The engine was performing "with great power," and the airplane lifted off after about 800 feet of ground roll. Upon reaching about 100 feet of altitude, the engine suddenly and completely lost power. The pilot turned the airplane to the right to attempt a landing in a field, but did not have enough altitude to clear a ditch. The airplane struck the ditch, which sheared off the landing gear and substantially damaged the airplane. Following the accident, the airplane was transported to an aircraft recovery facility and an engine test run was attempted under the supervision of a National Transportation Safety Board investigator. Fuel was gathered from both of the main fuel tanks and placed into a container, which was then plumbed to the fuel line fittings in the firewall. The electric fuel pump was checked, and no abnormalities were observed. Examinationof the spark plugs revealed that they were light gray in color and exhibited no abnormal wear. No debris was observed within the cylinders, and the carburetor was absent of any blockage. Following the visual examination of the engine, an engine start was attempted. During the attempt, the starter engaged and the crankshaft rotated; however, the engine did not start. Three additional attempts to start the engine were all unsuccessful. The carburetor was subsequently removed and disassembled, and while small amount of debris was found within the float bowl, no mechanical anomalies were noted. Both magnetos were also tested, and produced spark at all terminal leads. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1977. A review of the airplane's maintenance logs revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 22, 2008, and at that time the airplane and engine had accumulated 1,476 total hours of operation since new. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 1,485 total hours of operation. The engine had not been overhauled since the time the airplane was manufactured. A review of FAA records revealed that the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot reported that he possessed 2,060 total hours of flight experience. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 2, 2008. The 1554 reported weather at Craven County Regional Airport (EWN), New Bern, North Carolina, located about 9 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, included winds from 320 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 12 degrees Celsius (C), dewpoint 3 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.90 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38558](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38558-2011-06-06), registration cancelled 2011-06-06, S/N 28-7710065, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7710065 - Airframe hours: 1485 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: A & M Aero Inc - Registered owner: A & M Aero Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 2008, 9 hours before - Departed: NONE, New Bern, NC - Destination: NONE, New Bern, NC - Airport: NONE, None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 2,060 total, 650 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: EWN, 9 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 20081212856069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081212856069A), Dec 12, 2008: Piper PA28235, New Bern, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that shortly after take off about 100 feet in the air engine lost total power. Pilot made turn to the right to land in a sod field. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N38558 (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 FTW81FPJ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FPJ09), Jan 8, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N38558), Enid, OK, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69591. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 750 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo - Accident Airplane (item 4, .PDF, 534 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Accident%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Engine Examination Summary (item 5, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Summary-Master.PDF 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.