# NTSB ERA10LA073: Piper PA-28R-200, N909CW, Hammonton, NJ, November 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 2009, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Hammonton, NJ - Coordinates: 39.666942, -74.754447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6669&lon=-74.7544&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 May 5, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75085 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75085/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75085 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA073 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to a blocked fuel vent. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/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-28R-200, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102811), [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-28R-200, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he departed with the fuel selector in the left tank position. After takeoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear, turned left, and climbed the airplane to an altitude of 425 feet, at which point the engine stopped producing power. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the other fuel tank, but the engine failed to respond and he performed a forced landing to a field. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the fuel injector filter screen was completely occluded by metal particles. The metal particles extracted from the screen were most likely worn impeller vanes of an electric fuel boost pump, which was removed from the airplane two days prior to the accident. Disassembly of the pump installed on the airplane revealed no anomalies or abnormal wear. It was noted that the fuel vent on the left fuel tank was blocked and once cleared, fuel could flow to the gascolator. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 21, 2009, at 1530 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N909CW, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and forced landing after takeoff from the Hammonton Municipal Airport (N81), Hammonton, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot described performing the preflight inspection, run-up, and takeoff from runway 3 according to the checklist. The pilot stated that he began the takeoff with the fuel selector in the "left tank" position. A check of the fuel flow gauge prior to lift-off revealed an 18 gallon per hour rate of consumption. After takeoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear, turned left, and climbed the airplane to 425 feet mean sea level, where the engine stopped producing power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, but received "no response" from the engine. The pilot stated that he adjusted his airspeed to "best glide angle," the airplane cleared trees in its path; he deployed full flaps, and then landed "straight ahead" in a blueberry field. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine, multi-engine, and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal aviation Administration (FAA) second class medical certificate was issued April 9, 2009. The pilot reported 2,914 hours of total flight experience, and 2,274 hours in the accident airplane make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1972, and had accrued 4,150 aircraft hours. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed March 9, 2009, at 4,115 aircraft hours. The airplane's electric fuel boost pump was replaced on November 19, 2009, at 4,150 aircraft hours, immediately prior to the accident flight. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1554, the weather conditions reported at Atlantic City International Airport, located 14 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, included clear skies, visibility 10 miles, temperature 12 degrees Celsius (C), dewpoint 4 degrees C and an altimeter setting of 30.11 inches of mercury. The wind was from 320 degrees at 4 knots. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane was examined by an FAA inspector on November 21, 2009, during which he noted substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. Examination of the engine revealed that the fuel injector filter screen was completely occluded by metal particles. The metal particles extracted from the screen appeared consistent with the worn impeller vanes of the electric fuel boost pump that was removed from the airplane 2 days prior to the accident. On December 12, 2009, the electric fuel boost pump was examined under the supervision of an FAA inspector. Examination revealed no anomalies, and nosigns of abnormal wear. The wreckage was then reexamined on December 16, 2009. Examination revealed that with the fuel selector in the "right tank" position, fuel would flow to the gascolator, but with the selector in the "left tank" position, fuel would not flow to the gascolator. The left fuel tank was removed from the airplane, and examination revealed that the fuel tank vent was "blocked." Compressed air was blown through the vent, the blockage was cleared, and the tank was reinstalled on the airplane. With the fuel selector in the "left tank" position, fuel flowed to the gascolator. Examination of maintenance records revealed that both fuel tanks were removed on March 9, 2009, for "corrosion." According to the FAA inspector, there were "no reports of anomalies related to fuel flow prior to the accident." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N909CW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N909CW-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 28R-7335071, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7335071 - Airframe hours: 4115 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gkw Corp - Registered owner: Gkw Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 2009, 35 hours before - Departed: N81, Hammonton, NJ - Destination: N81, Hammonton, NJ - Airport: N81, Hammonton Municipal, runway 03, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,914 total, 2,274 in this make and model, 2,914 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: ACY, 14 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 20091121025589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091121025589A), Nov 21, 2009: Piper PA-28R-200, Hammonton, NJ, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he completed a preflight,run up,check list,departed N81 on runway 3 @ 3 pm. Before lift off @ 84 knots, fuel flow 18 gallons per hour.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75085. 874 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 389 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from Engine Logbook (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Engine%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Report of Wreckage Examination (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20of%20Wreckage%20Examination%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.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.