# NTSB MKC89LA022: Piper PA-28-180, N9109J, Mena, AR, November 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1988, 21:10 local (Nov 11, 1988, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Mena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.580169, -94.229255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5802&lon=-94.2293&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 September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA022

## 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, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON LEFT CROSSWIND LEG, DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE ACFT HAD REACHED ABOUT 800 FEET AGL AND WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. DARK NIGHT VFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAID THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT PASS UNDER SOME POWER LINES BEFORE CONTACTING A FENCE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, ALONG WITH STATEMENTS MADE BY THE PLT, REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO BE ON THE WRONG TANK, CAUSING FUEL STARVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9109J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9109J-2013-07-03), registration cancelled 2013-07-03, S/N 28-3151, built 1966 (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: 28-3151
- Airframe hours: 4089
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jenkins, Mack
- Registered owner: Jenkins, Mack
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1988, 125 hours before
- Destination: DEQ, DEQUEEN, AR
- Airport: MEZ, Intermountain Regional, runway 35, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 13 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19881110051929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881110051929A), Nov 10, 1988: Piper PA28180, Mena, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Crash landed due darkness. Passed under power lines. Hit a fence. Fuel selected empty tank.

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.