# NTSB FTW85LA326: Piper PA-24-250, N8050P, Farmerville, LA, August 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1985, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Farmerville, LA
- Coordinates: 32.769607, -92.400741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7696&lon=-92.4007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA326

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF AND STARTED HIS CLIMBOUT WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON A FUEL TANK WHICH WAS VIRTUALLY EMPTY. THE ENG STOPPED REACHING AN ALT OF 200 FEET AGL. THE PLT MADE FORCED LANDING IN TREES. THERE WAS AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF FUEL (ABOUT 70 GALLONS) DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE OTHER THREE FUEL TANKS; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOT ADEQUATE TIME TO SWITCH THE SELECTOR VALVE AND GET A RESTART BEFORE IMPACT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8050P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8050P-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 24-3296, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3296
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Archie Piten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: F87, FARMERVILLE, LA
- Destination: F89, WINNSBORO, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 840 total, 30 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 25 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 19850820039639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850820039639A), Aug 20, 1985: Piper PA24250, Farmerville, LA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power during initial climb and struck trees during descent. Fuel selector on empty tank.

## Other investigations on N8050P (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 UNK64X0379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0379), Jan 27, 1964: Piper PA-24 (N8050P), Mexicali, Mexico, 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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