# NTSB NYC08LA034: Piper PA-28-151, N41535, Sacramento, KY, November 10, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 2007, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, KY - Coordinates: 37.39611, -87.235557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3961&lon=-87.2356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67072 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67072/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA034 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, which included "sumping" the fuel tanks, and no contamination was observed in the fuel samples. The airplane had recently been fueled to the "tabs," and approximately 17 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gasoline was in both fuel tanks during the accident takeoff. No discrepancies were noted during engine start, taxi, and run-up. During the initial climb, the engine lost all power about 60 feet above ground level, and the pilot performed a forced landing into a soybean field. According to his written statement, the pilot reported that the fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank during the accident takeoff, and he moved it to the off position after the accident. After the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector observed the fuel selector in the off position, and it was moved to the right fuel tank position. The engine then started and ran continuously up to 2,300 rpm. When the FAA inspector interviewed the pilot, the pilot stated that he was "pretty sure" and that he "thought so" when asked twice about having the fuel selector positioned to the right fuel tank during the accident takeoff. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2007, about 1600 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N41535, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power during the initial climb from David Lowe Airport (80KY), Sacramento, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Owensboro, Kentucky. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. According to the pilot's written statement, an annual inspection was completed on his airplane, and he arrived at 80KY to "pick up" the airplane. The pilot performed a preflight inspection, which included "sumping" the fuel tanks, and no contamination was observed in the fuel samples. He boarded the airplane and moved the fuel selector from the off position to the right fuel tank position. The pilot added that he recently had the airplane fueled to the "tabs," and estimated 17 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gasoline in both fuel tanks during the accident takeoff. No discrepancies were noted during engine start, taxi, and run-up. During the initial climb from runway 16, a 1,700-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, turf runway, the engine lost all power about 60 feet above ground level. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into a soybean field. After the landing, he turned off electrical power and moved the fuel selector from the right fuel tank position to the off position. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the nose gear and firewall. The fuel selector was observed in the off position, and moved to the right main fuel tank position. The engine then started and ran continuously up to 2,300 rpm. When the FAA inspector interviewed the pilot, the pilot stated that he was "pretty sure" and that he "thought so" when asked twice about having the fuel selector positioned to the right fuel tank during the accident takeoff. The reported weather at an airport located about 20 miles north of the accident site, at 1556, was: wind from 180 degrees at 11 knots; visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 1,700 feet; broken ceiling at 2,200 feet; overcast ceiling at 6,000 feet; temperature 12 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 9 degrees C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41535](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41535), registered now, S/N 28-7415256 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7413256 - Airframe hours: 2432 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dwayne R Robinson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2007, 0 hours before - Departed: 80KW, Sacramento, KY - Destination: OWB, Owensboro, KY - Airport: 80KY, David Lowe Airport, runway 16, 1,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 425 total, 293 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: OWB, 20 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 20071110827499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071110827499A), Nov 10, 2007: Piper PA28151, Sacramento, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed from a private airport at Sacramento, KY (80KY) at approximately 1600 CST on 11-10-07. Shortly after takeoff at an approximate altitude… 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.