# NTSB MIA03LA006: Piper PA-28-140, N2838T, Las Palmas, PR, October 23, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 23, 2002, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Las Palmas, PR - Coordinates: 18.220283, -66.589279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2203&lon=-66.5893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55931 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55931/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to switch fuel tanks resulting in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a go-around. Additionally, the pilot's failure to monitor airspeed and proper touchdown point during the emergency landing resulted in another go-around attempt with partial power and inadequate airspeed that caused a collision with a field off the end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - checklist - not complied with, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis Following a 30 minute flight from Humacao, Puerto Rico, the pilot's first attempt to land on runway 10 at Patillas Airport, Las Palmas, resulted in a go-around because the approach path was too high. During the go-around, at between 400 and 500 feet agl, the engine lost partial power, and the pilot elected to execute a quick course reversal and land on runway 28. The emergency approach and landing were fast and long, necessitating another go-around with whatever power was available. The pilot managed to over-fly the airport perimeter fence, but collided with the terrain on the other side of the fence, sustaining substantial damage to the aircraft. Postcrash examination of the aircraft revealed the fuel selector was selected to the right fuel tank, which was found empty. The pilot stated he had not switched tanks since takeoff. ## Factual narrative On October 23, 2002, about 1600 Atlantic standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N2838T, registered to East Wing Aviation, Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed in the vicinity of Las Palmas, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private rated pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Humacao, Puerto Rico, about 30 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, he realized that he was too high for a safe landing to Patillas Airport's runway 10, and elected to conduct a go-around. During the go-around, at 400 to 500 feet agl, the engine lost partial power, and his best option was to perform a 180- degree course reversal and attempt an emergency landing on runway 28. His touchdown occurred about runway mid-length with excessive approach speed. He attempted a partial power go-around, cleared the airport perimeter fence, and collided with the terrain on the other side of the fence due to insufficient airspeed. The surface of the terrain was rough dirt and grass, and the landing gear collapsed. According to an FAA inspector, following examination of the wreckage and interviewing the pilot, during the pilot's go-around from runway 10, a partial engine power loss necessitated his attempting to make an emergency approach and landing to runway 28. That approach resulted in a long, fast touchdown due to a tailwind, and the pilot again attempted a go-around. During the second go-around, using partial engine power, the pilot had to effect an abrupt pull-up to miss a fence at the departure end of runway 28. The fence was cleared, but the aircraft crashed in a field on the other side of the fence, collapsing the three landing gear and striking the propeller. The right fuel tank was found empty, and the pilot admitted he did not switch tanks from right to left tank since his departure from Humacao. The left fuel tank contained about 18 gallons of 100 octane LL fuel, which was the quantity observed before departure. The underside of the wings and fuselage revealed no evidence of fuel leakage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2838T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2838T-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 28-7225247, built 1972 (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: 28-7225247 - Airframe hours: 2797 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: East Wing Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2002, 2.5 hours before - Departed: X63, Humacao, PR - Destination: X64, Las Palmas, PR - Airport: X64, Patillas, runway 28, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 24, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 341 total, 179 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: TJNR, 27 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 20021023032229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021023032229A), Oct 23, 2002: Piper PA28140, Patillas, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot experienced loss of power while executing a go-around, returned to airport and overshooted the runway, attempted to proceed airborne after… ## Other investigations on N2838T (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 IAD77DID31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77DID31), Sep 21, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N2838T), Boydton, VA, 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.