Piper PA-28-235 N9047W

Summary

On 10 February 2008 at about 17:39 local time, a Piper PA-28-235 registered N9047W was involved in an accident near Spring, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 February 2008 at 17:39

Classification

Accident

Location

Spring, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

David Wayne Hooks Memorial (DWH)

Coordinates

30.0492, -95.5511

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-235

Registration

N9047W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08LA068

1 person was seriously injured.

Failure of the pilot to ensure that the fuel system was purged of water prior to flight. Contributing to the severity of injuries was the lack of shoulder restraints.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on climb out from the airport, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power. A restart was not successful, and the pilot crashed into an open field. An examination of the airframe and engine determined that water had been allowed to enter and settle in the fuel system for an extended period of time. This resulted in the build up of rust in the fuel selector sump, the fuel selector screen, and the carburetor bowl. The fuel selector sump contained fuel, which through the use of water detection paste, was confirmed to be contaminated with water. Fuel system containation resulted in a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.