Piper PA-28R-200 N9473N

Summary

On 6 July 1989 at about 19:05 local time, a Piper PA-28R-200 registered N9473N was involved in an accident near Hilliard, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 July 1989 at 19:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Hilliard, Florida, United States

Coordinates

30.6898, -81.9203

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-200

Registration

N9473N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA89LA185

1 person had minor injuries.

THE INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT EXAMINATION BY THE PILOT, AFTER REFUELING, WHICH FAILED TO DETECT WATER IN THE FUEL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED ABOUT 3 OZ OF WATER IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED DURING TESTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT SAID HE NORMALLY PARKED THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN T HANGAR WITH FUEL TANKS PARTIALLY FILLED. ADDITIONALLY THERE WERE HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA SINCE THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST FLOWN, THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE FUEL SUMPS WERE DRAINED, 19.9 GAL. OF FUEL ADDED, BUT NOT REDRAINED FOLLOWING THE FUELING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.