# NTSB FTW96LA146: Piper PA-28-140, N8726N, Gladewater, TX, March 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 1996, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Gladewater, TX - Coordinates: 32.539665, -94.939193 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5397&lon=-94.9392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19782/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA146 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to the pilot inadvertently turning the fuel selector to the OFF position. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## 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 (cause) - fuel tank selector position - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During the initial climb, the pilot noticed 'cold air' from the left air vent and 'adjusted [the] air vent.' Approximately 30 to 45 seconds later a total loss of engine power occurred. During the forced landing, the airplane 'stalled at tree top' height, collided with trees, and came to rest nose down in the terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel selector was in the OFF position and the left air vent was open. ## Factual narrative On March 9, 1996, at 1700 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N8726N, registered to a private owner, operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted trees and terrain following a total loss of engine power near Gladewater, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned local personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from runway 31 at the Gladewater Municipal Airport about 3 minutes before the accident. On the enclosed Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated the following information. Beyond the departure end of runway 31, during the initial climb, the pilot noticed "cold air" from the left air vent and "adjusted [the] air vent." Approximately 30 to 45 seconds later engine power was lost. During the emergency procedure, the "engine regained RPM;" however, before a 180 degree turn around was completed, the "engine lost power." At this point, clearance above trees was less than 30 feet and the "aircraft stalled at tree top" height. The airplane came to rest nose down. Damage occurred to the wings, nose gear, and firewall. During personal interviews, conducted by the FAA inspector, the owner, and local authorities, the pilot reported that he thought he inadvertently turned the fuel selector to the "OFF" position. The owner reported that he and local authorities examined the airplane and found the fuel selector in the "OFF" position and the left vent open. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8726N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8726N-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 28-25539, built 1969 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25539 - Airframe hours: 4203 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James T. Eastman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 15, 1996, 43 hours before - Departed: 07F ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 162 total, 33 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19960309003859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960309003859A), Mar 9, 1996: Piper PA28140, Gladewater, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot turned off fuel instead of air vent and crashed into a wooded area. ## Other investigations on N8726N (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 DEN79FQA41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FQA41), Jul 21, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N8726N), Cuba, NM, 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.