# NTSB SEA84LA103: Piper PA-28-235, N8624W, Touchet, WA, May 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1984, 10:39 local (17:39 UTC)
- Place: Touchet, WA
- Location: 46.0411° N, 118.6724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Touchet, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0411&lon=-118.6724&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA103

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DEPARTING A PVT AIRSTRIP. DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB THE ENG FAILED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SELECTED THE LEFT TIP TANK, WHICH WAS EMPTY THINKING IT WAS THE LEFT MAIN TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8624W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8624W), registered now, S/N 28-10139, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2810139
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Shamrock Crop Dusting
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1983, 6 hours before
- Departed: TOUCHET, WA
- Destination: LWS, LEWISTON, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24,400 total, 23 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALW, 17 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 19840508016479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840508016479A), May 8, 1984: Piper PA28235, Touchet, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on liftoff. Landed straight ahead, struck a fence off end of strip. Fuel selector was on 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.

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