# NTSB FTW96LA199: Piper PA-28, N9869K, Mountain Home, AR, May 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1996, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Mountain Home, AR - Coordinates: 36.329872, -92.370452 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3299&lon=-92.3705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19828/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA199 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to visually check the fuel quantity during the preflight inspection. A factor was the unsuitable 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, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated 'Upon takeoff, the engine died. I believe from fuel starvation.' The airplane was substantially damaged during the emergency landing to a rocky ravine. The pilot reported that he did not visually check the airplane's fuel quantity during his preflight inspection. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1996, at 1300 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28, N9869K, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Mountain Home, Arkansas. Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 100 feet AGL, the engine lost power. During the emergency landing to a rocky ravine, the fuselage and both wings were damaged. Both fuel tanks were compromised. The pilot reported that during his preflight inspection, he did not visually check the fuel quantity. The airplane had been fueled 5 days earlier, and approximately 2 to 3 hours had been flown since then. The pilot also reported that the accident "possibl[y] could have been prevented by a more thorough preflight." He further reported that he did not know, at the time of departure, what the total fuel on board was. The pilot stated that "upon takeoff, the engine died. I believe from fuel starvation." Inspection of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the fuel sump valve was missing. The pilot reported that "the interior threads inside the AN fitting were all intact." However, the attached photograph shows thread damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9869K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9869K-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 28-7816199 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7816199 - Airframe hours: 5015 - Engines: Lycoming O-320D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul H. Wedin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1996, 44 hours before - Departed: 6AR4 - Destination: BPK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,128 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19960501009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960501009219A), May 1, 1996: Piper PA28161, Mountain Home, AR, Substantial damage. Engine lost power, landed in a ravine. (-23) on 05/01/96 at 1000 hrs, rolled a/c out of hangar. Performed a preflight took fuel sample. Tanks about half full… ## Other investigations on N9869K (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 FTW95LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA292), Jul 13, 1995: Piper PA-28-161 (N9869K), Van Buren, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE AND SPEED DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING RESULTING IN AN OVERSHOOT. 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.