# NTSB FTW00LA198: Piper PA-28-140, N8210N, Leonard, TX, July 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 2000, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Leonard, TX - Coordinates: 33.379932, -96.23986 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3799&lon=-96.2399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49639 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49639/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA198 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall. A factor was the improperly positioned fuel selector. ## 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 tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the takeoff/initial climb, the airplane lost fuel pressure. The pilot was attempting to return to the airstrip when the engine lost total power. The airplane stalled, struck the ground, and came to rest short of the airstrip. The integrity of the fuel system was compromised during the impact sequence. The fuel gascolator was found separated from the fuel system, and no fuel was found in the fuel lines or the carburetor. The fuel selector in the cockpit was found positioned between the left and right fuel tanks. Fuel flow from both tanks was possible to the fuel gascolator when either tank was properly selected. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 2000, at 1120 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, single-engine airplane, N8210N, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of fuel pressure and engine power near Leonard, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The local flight was originating from the private grass airstrip at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the flight departed to the south, and during the takeoff/initial climbing turn toward the east, the airplane lost fuel pressure. The pilot was attempting to return to the airstrip when the engine lost total power. The airplane "stalled", struck the ground with the right wing and nose, and came to rest short of the airstrip. The FAA inspector responding to the site found that the right fuel tank was 1/2 full (approximately 12 gallons) and the left fuel tank contained 2 1/2 gallons. The integrity of the fuel system was compromised during the impact sequence. The fuel gascolator was found separated from the fuel system, and no fuel was found in the fuel lines or the carburetor. The fuel selector was found positioned between the left and right fuel tanks. Fuel flow from both tanks was possible to the fuel gascolator when either tank was properly selected. The engine was found separated at the engine mounts and the propeller blades were bent aft. The right wing spar was structurally damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8210N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8210N-2001-09-12), registration cancelled 2001-09-12, S/N 28-25413 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25413 - Airframe hours: 6390 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Durwood E. Gorthey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1999, 114 hours before - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 18, 2,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,148 total, 400 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20000708009229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000708009229A), Jul 8, 2000: Piper PA28140, Leonard, TX, No damage. (-23) On 7/8/00 the a/c departed collision airport (also known as Leonard airport) to the south when the engine lost power at approx. 200 AGL. The pilot… 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.