Piper PA-32-300 C-FLPB

Summary

On 14 March 2005 at about 20:15 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered C-FLPB was involved in an accident near Millersburg, Ohio, 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

14 March 2005 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Millersburg, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Holmes County (10G)

Coordinates

40.5369, -81.9475

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

C-FLPB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbus → Ottawa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC05LA060

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor in the accident was the deteriorated fuel cap seals.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot flew to his destination airport and had the airplane completely refueled for the return flight; however, prior to his departure, he elected to drive home because of weather. The airplane was parked outside for approximately 10 days until the pilot returned. Prior to his departure for the return flight, the pilot preflighted the airplane to include draining all four fuel tank sumps, and did not identify any contaminates in the fuel. He then started the engine, completed the runup checks, and departed. After approximately 20 to 25 minutes, and while level at 7,500 feet msl, the engine lost all power. The pilot changed tanks, and selected each magneto independently, but was unsuccessful at restarting the engine. The pilot then attempted to perform a forced landing to an airport, but struck trees short of the runway. A post-accident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical deficiencies; however, an examination of the airframe revealed that all four fuel caps seals had varying degrees of deterioration, and the left main fuel cap was loose. Examination of the fuel system revealed 1/4 cup of water in the main fuel strainer, and only a trace of fuel between the strainer and the individual cylinders.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.