SEA95FA199

One of the passengers reported that the engine suddenly lost power shortly after takeoff. Witnesses observed the airplane make a left turn before they lost sight of the airplane behind the rolling terrain. The airplane had collided on the uphill-side of a small hill in a left wing-low attitude. The surrounding terrain varied from flat open fields to rolling hills. Fuel system examination revealed that 3 of the 4 fuel tanks had ruptured. The fuel lines to the fuel selector were compromised; however, fuel was found in the fuel selector bowl. The selector was positioned and in the detent for the left auxiliary fuel tank. The fuel lines forward to the engine and carburetor were intact; however, no fuel was present forward of the fuel selector. The engine was examined and no evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. The airplane was approximately 381 pounds over its maximum gross weight.

History of flight

On September 3, 1995, at 1500 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA 24-250, N700TD, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from runway 32 at the Sheridan County Airport, Sheridan, Wyoming. The pilot initiated a forced landing where the airplane collided with rolling terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The other two passengers were seriously injured. The flight was en route to Beardstown, Illinois.

One of the passengers stated that he does not recall the day or the events of the day leading up to the accident. This passenger stated that he did recall some of the events on the day prior to the accident and the flight into the Sheridan area. This passenger stated that the airplane was operating normally and the pilot did not mention any problems. After landing, the airplane was taxied to the fuel pumps and the fuel tanks were filled. The pilot, then alone, started the airplane to taxi to the tiedown. During the taxi, the engine quit. The pilot made several attempts to restart the engine before it finally started and was able to continue taxiing to the tiedown. The passenger reported that the pilot stated that he thought he didn't lean the engine enough. No maintenance services were obtained.

The other passenger reported in a written statement that, after the airplane was fueled, the pilot started the airplane to taxi the 50 feet to the tiedown. After travelling approximately 20 feet, the engine quit. This passenger stated that the pilot tried seven times before the engine finally started. The pilot then did a run-up on the engine "to clear the lines of any possible water in the lines,...." The pilot then continued the remaining 30 feet to the tiedown. After the airplane was secured, the pilot checked the fuel tanks for water. This passenger stated that none was detected and the airplane was secured for the night.

On the day of the accident, this passenger stated that they arrived at the airport around 1500. The pilot drained fuel from the fuel tanks, and examined the fuel for water or contaminants. The passenger stated that none were detected and the airplane was loaded and prepared for takeoff. After the airplane was started, the passenger stated that the pilot contacted the "tower" for clearance for takeoff. The airplane was then taxied to the runway and the pilot performed the run-up prior to takeoff. The passenger stated that the pilot contacted the "tower" for final takeoff clearance and the pilot began the takeoff ground roll.

During the takeoff roll, the passenger stated that everything seemed normal. The airplane lifted off and began to climb. The pasenger stated that, at approximately 600 to 800 feet, the engine lost power "in an abrupt fashion with a loud clink and/or breaking noise." The passenger stated that the pilot "appeared to switch to auxiliary tank, in an attempt to restart the engine, without success." The passenger stated that the airplane was then suddenly caught by an "air pocket" and the airplane dipped 10 to 20 feet to the left. The passenger stated that the pilot appeared to be searching for a place to land and repeated a mayday call several times to the "tower."

Two witnesses in the area reported hearing the airplane fly overhead, then they heard the engine quit. Both witnesses stated that they stopped what they were doing and observed the airplane fly northbound then turn to the west before they lost sight of the airplane behind the terrain. The witnesses then searched for and located the airplane on the hill and reported the accident to rescue personnel.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land operations and an instrument rating. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated a total flight time of 1,746 hours, with 307 hours in the Piper PA-24-250.

Meteorological information

At 1453, the Sheridan weather facility was reporting a temperature of 92 degrees. The altimeter setting was 30.09" Hg. The density altitude calculated for the conditions was 6,892 feet. The airport elevation is 4,021 feet.

Communications

At 1434, the pilot made contact with the Casper Flight Service Station and reported that he was planning a four hour and forty-five minute visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Sheridan to Beardstown, Illinois. The specialist briefed the pilot on the current weather for the route and asked the pilot if he wanted to file a flight plan. The pilot declined, and said that he would utilize flight-following. The conversation was concluded at 1446.

The Sheridan airport is uncontrolled and utilizes a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)/UNICOM. Personnel at the airport reported that no one heard or responded to transmissions from the pilot. The UNICOM is not continuously monitored.

The Sheridan County Fire Department is located on the airport and monitors the airport frequency. Fire Department personnel reported that no communications from the pilot were heard.

Wreckage and impact information

The wreckage was located approximately two miles north of the airport in an area of open rolling terrain at an elevation of 4,100 feet. The ground was dry and hard and covered with approximately two foot tall dry grass. Just south of the accident site and down the hill, a flat alfalfa field was noted. The field was crossed with above-the-ground sprinklers and a barbed wire fence. The remaining area around the accident site was hilly. Ground disturbance in the area of the wreckage indicates that the left wing contacted the ground first and made a 19 foot long grazing impact through the grass on a magnetic bearing of 230 degrees. At the end of this disturbance, a 20 foot long impact crater was noted. Found in this disturbance was the pitot tube from the left wing and small fragments of plexiglass and metal. At the end of the crater, the left wing- tip cap was found. From the 39 foot point in the wreckage distribution path, another magnetic bearing was taken to the main wreckage. This bearing was 190 degrees. The main wreckage was located at 94 feet into the distribution path. The terrain from the initial impact to the main wreckage rose approximately 20 feet.

The main wreckage was resting on its belly with the nose pointing at 40 degrees. The left wing partially separated from the fuselage at the wing root. Both forward and rear spars were broken and bent aft. The entire length of the leading edge was crushed rearward and upward. Both fuel cells were ruptured and no fuel was present. Both the flap and aileron remained in place. The outboard hinge to the aileron was pulled out. Control cable continuity was established from the wing tip to the wing root.

The right wing remained attached to the fuselage and was in place. Both the flap and the aileron remained attached at their respective hinges. Control cable continuity was established from the wing tip to the fuselage. The auxiliary fuel cell was ruptured and no fuel was present. The main fuel cell was intact and fuel was present. A sample was removed and a water test was performed. There was no evidence of water or contaminants present.

The flaps appeared to be in the retracted position. The landing gear was also retracted.

The empennage was bent to the left. The vertical stabilizer remained in place with the rudder attached to its respective hinges. The stabilator remained intact. The fuselage was split aft of the baggage compartment along the seam from the top and down the right side. Control continuity was established from the tail control surfaces to the cockpit area.

Several items of luggage were found in the baggage compartment. These items were removed and weighed. The total weight was 94 pounds.

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