# NTSB MIA03LA133: Piper PA-28-180, N8378W, Ocean Springs, MS, June 16, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 2003, 10:13 local (15:13 UTC) - Place: Ocean Springs, MS - Coordinates: 30.393333, -88.755554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3933&lon=-88.7556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57343 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57343/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA133 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to starvation as a result of the pilot's continued operation of an airplane with known deficiencies. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,selector/valve - malfunction (cause) - maintenance - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - swampy - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the takeoff/initial climb, while near the end of the runway, at an altitude of 150 feet, the airplane's engine began to sputter and act as if it was going to cease operating. He stated that he glanced at the fuel selector switch and confirmed that it appeared to be at the proper position, and he then started pumping the throttle. He said the engine seemed as if it would "recover" but as he continued to pump the throttle, the engine finally ceased operating. He said he then maneuvered to avoid obstacles and executed a forced landing into the marsh. During the landing the airplane flipped over its back and was damaged. After recovery from the marsh, an FAA examiner examined the accident airplane, and the examination revealed that the fuel selector valve had been set beyond the "right tank" detent, which when tested, prevented the flow of fuel to the engine. In addition, the inspector said that the pilot told him that he had problems previously with the engine ceasing to operate when the fuel selector valve was in the "right tank" position, so he had been rotating it beyond the detent for the "right tank" position and had experienced no problems since. The inspector stated that records revealed that the accident airplane had last received an annual inspection on May 10, 1997. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2003, about 1013 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8378W, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff/initial climb, while near the end of the runway, at an altitude of 150 feet, the airplane's engine began to sputter and act as if it was going to cease operating. He stated that he glanced at the fuel selector switch and confirmed that it appeared to be at the proper position, and he then started pumping the throttle. He said the engine seemed as if it would "recover" but as he continued to pump the throttle, the engine finally ceased operating. He said he then maneuvered to avoid obstacles and executed a forced landing into the marsh. During the landing the airplane flipped over its back and was damaged. After recovery from the marsh, an FAA examiner examined the accident airplane, and the examination revealed that the fuel selector valve had been set beyond the "right tank" detent, which when tested, prevented the flow of fuel to the engine. In addition, the inspector said that the pilot told him that he had problems previously with the engine ceasing to operate when the fuel selector valve was in the "right tank" position, so he had been rotating it beyond the detent for the "right tank" position and had experienced no problems since. The inspector stated that records revealed that the accident airplane had last received an annual inspection on May 10, 1997. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8378W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8378W-2008-06-19), registration cancelled 2008-06-19, S/N 28-2579, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-2579 - Airframe hours: 4592 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Partick J. Hill - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1997, 13 hours before - Departed: 5R2, Ocean Springs, MS - Destination: 5R2 - Airport: 5R2, Ocean Springas Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,176 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: PQL ## 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 20030616011389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030616011389A), Jun 16, 2003: Piper PA28180, Ocean Springs, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff aircraft lost power pilot made emergency landing in marsh area. ## Other investigations on N8378W (3) 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 MKC74DER02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DER02), Jul 20, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N8378W), Eden Prairie, MN, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC72DCG52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DCG52), May 10, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N8378W), Camdenton, MO, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC71FDM47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FDM47), Feb 28, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N8378W), So.St.Paul, MN, 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.