# NTSB MIA96LA063: Piper PA-24-250, N7498P, Lake City, FL, January 13, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1996, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, FL
- Location: 30.1886° N, 82.6422° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1886&lon=-82.6422&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA063

## Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to select a fuel tank with adequate fuel for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb, and improper flare by the pilot during the subsequent forced land.

## 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 - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he had selected an empty fuel tank and the engine lost power just after lift off. He lowered the landing gear and attempted a landing on the remaining runway. During the landing, the left main landing gear collapsed. The left stabilizer spar and the aft fuselage bulkhead were also damaged during the landing.

## Factual narrative

On January 13, 1996, about 1330 eastern standard time, N7498P, a Piper PA-24-250 crashed on takeoff at Lake City Airport, Lake City, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he selected an empty fuel tank and the engine lost power just after liftoff. He lowered the landing gear and attempted a landing on the remaining runway. During the landing the left main landing gear collapsed. The left stabilizer spar and the aft fuselage bulkhead were also damaged during the landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7498P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7498P), registered now, S/N 24-2693, built 1961 (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: 24-2693
- Airframe hours: 2339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marcel C. Fromond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1995, 41 hours before
- Departed: 31J, FL
- Destination: PVT, CANNON CREEK, FL
- Airport: 31J, Lake City, runway 28, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,180 total, 119 in this make and model, 989 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 45 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 19960113000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960113000589A), Jan 13, 1996: Piper PA24250, Lake City, FL, Substantial damage. Selected empty fuel tank by mistake on takeoff. Engine quit. Landed hard on runway. Collapsed left main gear.

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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