# NTSB SEA05CA140: Piper PA-22, N1735P, Kamaih, ID, July 3, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 3, 2005, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Kamaih, ID
- Coordinates: 46.221111, -116.01361
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2211&lon=-116.0136&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 October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA140

## Probable cause

Fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper placement of the fuel selector, resulting in a loss of engine power, and collision with terrain.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The pilot reported "the owners manual [aircraft], check list, placard, and my flight instructor had all noted that takeoff on the right fuel tank with less than 1/3 fuel is prohibited."  The pilot further stated that during the preflight run-up he was distracted and inadvertently "missed the switch to left tank."  Shortly after takeoff, about 100 feet above ground level (agl), the engine quit.  The pilot reported that he switched tanks, but was unable to restart the engine before the airplane impacted the runway in a nose-low attitude resulting in substantial damage.  The airplane is equipped with two 18-gallon wing tanks.  The pilot reported the airplane contained approximately 10 gallons of fuel at the time of the takeoff.

## Factual narrative

On July 3, 2005, about 1600 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N1735P, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain shortly after takeoff from Kamiah Municipal Airport, Kamiah, Idaho.  The airplane was owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.  No flight plan was filed.

In a written statement dated July 14, the pilot reported "the owners manual [aircraft], check list, placard, and my flight instructor had all noted that takeoff on the right fuel tank with less than 1/3 fuel is prohibited."  The pilot further stated that during the preflight run-up he was distracted and inadvertently "missed the switch to left tank."  Shortly after takeoff, about 100 feet above ground level (agl), the engine quit.  The pilot reported that he switched tanks, but was unable to restart the engine before the airplane impacted the runway in a nose-low attitude resulting in substantial damage.

The airplane is equipped with two 18-gallon wing tanks.

The pilot reported the airplane contained approximately 10 gallons of fuel at the time of the takeoff.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1735P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1735P-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 22-2525, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2525
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keith A. Borgelt
- Registered owner: Keith A. Borgelt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S73, Kamaih, ID
- Destination: Kamaih, ID
- Airport: S73, Kamiah Muni, runway 32

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 53; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 113 total, 8 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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