Piper PA-28-140 N592SP

Summary

On 5 July 1998 at about 21:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N592SP was involved in an accident near Chico, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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

5 July 1998 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Chico, California, United States

Nearest airport

Ranchaero (O23)

Coordinates

39.7407, -121.8293

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N592SP

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

LAX98LA222

1 person died.

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he refueled the airplane with 50 gallons of fuel, 25 in each wing tank, prior to departure from his home base. He then flew to the accident airport, approximately 1 hour away. The next day he took family out for airplane rides. After takeoff, on the first flight of the day, he noted a decrease in engine rpm and could not maintain climb altitude. After the airplane started to lose altitude it impacted trees located at the departure end of the runway. A postimpact fire subsequently destroyed the airplane. The pilot stated that he had selected the left tank for departure, as the right tank was low. Post examination of the fuel selector position revealed that the right tank had been selected. Aircraft and engine continuity were established and no discrepancies were noted. The engine uses about 8 gallons per hour at cruise power settings.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.