MIA99LA089

The pilot stated his engine run-up, power application, and rotation on takeoff appeared normal until the airplane settled back onto the runway and would not respond to further pitch control inputs. He had no sensory perception of power loss, but the airplane would not fly and he lost directional control off the right side of the runway into trees. Subsequent examination of the airplane by FAA Inspectors revealed that the fuel selector valve was in the 'off' position and no fuel was in the fuel lines to the carburetor or primer.

On February 21, 1999, about 1240 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N8309P, registered to a private individual, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on takeoff from Everglades Airpark, Everglades City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, the private-rated pilot, the private-rated right seat passenger/owner and two passengers were uninjured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), the plan was that the pilot/owner and a companion would fly into Everglades City from nearby Naples and pick up the PIC and his wife for a pleasure flight to Key West. Although the PIC had flown the airplane from the right seat previously, it was not planned that he would perform the duties of PIC on this flight, until just before boarding. He stated that the pilot/owner was reading the checklists and he, as PIC, was responding, except for the "fuel selector" item on the before-takeoff checklist. The PIC's response to that item was to ask the pilot/owner to select the fullest tank since he would have had most recent knowledge as to fuel loading. Engine run-up was normal, as was the application of full power on commencing his no flap takeoff roll using runway 15. When he rotated the pitch attitude to the takeoff attitude at 85 mph, the airplane initially responded normally with a slight liftoff, but then settled back on the runway and would not fly or respond to his control movements. He made a second attempt at rotation with the same effect. He stated the pilot/owner characterized the occurrence as "having an anchor thrown out". He further stated that his attempt to stop the airplane became ineffective once he exited the right runway edge into the sod, and the airplane collided with mangrove growth. He stated that he had no sensation of power loss, either audibly or visually. The PIC stated, in subsequent telephone follow-up to the investigation, that his wife is certain she saw the pilot/owner move the fuel selector valve during the reading of the before-takeoff checklist.

According to the pilot/owner, "At 85 mph Bob rotated but said the plane didn't want to fly. He lowered the nose for a few more seconds and rotated again. The aircraft did not take off but went into the trees to the right." The pilot/owner stated that throughout the takeoff roll, "the engine and prop sounded smooth and strong". In subsequent telephone follow-up, he further stated that the reason the FAA inspector found the fuel selector in the "off" position, was because fire department personnel asked that he, (pilot/owner) put it there immediately after the accident.

Examination of the airplane and accident site by FAA inspectors revealed the airplane departed the right side of runway 15 about 1,600 feet down the 2,400-foot asphalt runway, skidded in the grass, and impacted mangrove trees about 100 feet laterally and parallel to the runway, sustaining substantial damage. One propeller blade was bent rearward, and the other was undamaged. The fuel selector was found in the "off" position, and both the primer and the carburetor lines were empty. Exercising the primer thumb knob produced an empty "whoosh" sound and feel. When the inspectors selected "left main" on the fuel selector, the primer fuel line filled and the primer thumb knob action felt normal. The inspectors stated fuel flowed into the carburetor and hand cycling of the throttle linkage produced a spray within the carburetor throat.

At the time of the accident, the nearest weather reporting facility, Naples, reported the wind direction and speed as, 260 degrees at 6 knots. The PIC reported winds at Everglades City at the time of the accident were calm, and the airport manager confirmed that the wind sock indicated little wind.