# NTSB SEA90LA013: Piper PA-28-180, N8470W, Hillsboro, OR, November 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1989, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.440006, -122.959823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4400&lon=-122.9598&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 June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA013

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION AND THE PILOTS LACK OF PEFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## 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 (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD FUELED THE AIRPLANE FROM AND UNFILTERED BARREL. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT HAD INTENDED TO JUST REPOSITION THE AIRPLANE FROM THE RAMP TO A HANGAR BECAUSE OF RAIN SHOWERS THE DAY BEFORE. AFTER THE PILOT STARTED THE ENGINE, WITHOUT PERFORMING A PREFLIGHT, DECIDED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AROUND THE PATTERN TO DRY IT OFF. A NORMAL RUN-UP WAS PERFORMED AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS SELECTED. AFTER TAKEOFF AT APPRX 300 FT AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT. A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED WITH NO SUCCESS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCED LANDED IN A SOFT FIELD. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT WHO IS AN A&P MECHANIC DRAINED THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND INSPECTED THE GASCOLATOR. BOTH WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8470W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8470W-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 28-2711, built 1965 (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: 28-2711
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Stark
- Departed: 7S3, HILLSBORO, OR
- Airport: 7S3, Starks Twin Oaks

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,700 total, 325 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19891112045009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891112045009A), Nov 12, 1989: Piper PA28180, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Failed to drain sumps prior takeoff after aircraft sat out in heavy rain. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed.

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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