# NTSB NYC97LA100: Piper PA-28-140, N6927W, Baltimore, MD, May 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 1997, 20:28 local (May 27, 1997, 00:28 UTC) - Place: Baltimore, MD - Coordinates: 39.330413, -76.430839 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3304&lon=-76.4308&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 April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39363 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39363/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA100 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane which failed to detect water in the fuel, and resulted in a power loss after departure due to fuel contamination. ## 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 - contamination,water (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post ## Analysis After takeoff, at an altitude of about 300 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot turned the airplane 30 degrees left and landed on the grass near the runway. During the ground roll, the airplane went through a ditch and struck a chain link fence. The airplane was secured by emergency personnel who drained the fuel tanks. The next morning the pilot checked the airplane and found the fuel tanks empty. He drained the main sump and only water was found. The pilot reported that the day prior to the accident it had rained hard all day, and the airplane was tied down outside. He also reported that he did not drain the tanks before the flight. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 1997, at 2028 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6927W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Martin State Airport, Baltimore, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the personal flight which departed Martin State Airport, at 2028. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he had performed a pre-flight inspection of the airplane which included draining the left and right fuel tanks, and engine sump prior to departure from the Bay Bridge Airport, Stevensville, Maryland. He then flew to Martin State Airport, where he added 10 gallons of 100 LL aviation grade gasoline to each tank. He departed Martin State and flew to Easton Airport where he performed take and landing practice, after which he returned to Martin State Airport. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...1950 entered aircraft. Switched to left fuel tank. Received clearance martin ground control. Taxied to 'Juliet' runway 33...Switched to tower frequency received clearance to depart [runway] 33 VFR to W29. Completed mag check and pre-flight check including electric fuel pump - mixture full rich. Departed 33 climbed 400' [feet] + - when engine quit. Unable to restart. Completed 30 degree turn, landed on grass just past runway. Aircraft struck small drainage ditch and fence. Following morning I found water in engine sump." An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the propeller and firewall were bent. Also, fence posts had penetrated the left fuel tank, the right inboard wing, and the nose wheel was bent rearward. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that prior to departure from Martin State Airport, he did not drain the tanks. He did visually inspect the tanks and switched the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank. After the accident, the airplane was secured by emergency personnel at the airport who drained the fuel tanks. When he returned to the airplane, he found both fuel tanks empty. He then tried to drain the main sump and reported that all it contained was water, and no fuel. The pilot also added that the airplane was tied down outside at Stevensville, and the day prior to the accident it rained hard, all day. When asked about the fuel caps, the pilot reported there was no rust under them and the fit appeared normal. ## Aircraft - Registration: N6927W (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-21102 - Airframe hours: 4899 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brain E. Wright - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1996, 57 hours before - Departed: MTN - Destination: W29, STEVENSVILLE, MD - Airport: MTN, Martin State, runway 33, 6,996 × 180 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 300 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MTN ## 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 19970527047649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970527047649A), May 27, 1997: Piper PA28140, MD, Substantial damage. (-16) Aircraft lost power after t/o from martin state airport runway 33 at approximately 300. Pilot put aircraft back on runway 33 but over ran runway, crossed… 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.