Piper PA-28-235 N8914W

Summary

On 19 July 1989 at about 00:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-235 registered N8914W, operated by Fulaks, Donald D., was involved in an accident near Somerset, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 July 1989 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Somerset, Ohio, United States

Coordinates

39.7996, -82.2992

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-235

Registration

N8914W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Fulaks, Donald D.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Lexington → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL89LA181

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM AN AIRPLANE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION AND DRAIN WATER PRESENT IN THE AIRPLANE FUEL SUPPLY. THE AIRPLANE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST POWER DUE TO THE WATER CONTAMINATION.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PWR DURING CRUISE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY MADE A FORCED LDG IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD, AND SUSTAINED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE MISHAP REPORTED THAT HE FOUND THE MAIN FUEL SUMP AND CARB BOWL TO BE 95% FULL OF WATER. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER CAP GASKETS BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE GASKETS WERE IN SERVICEABLE CONDITION. THE PLT REPORTED ONLY THAT HE PERFORMED A 'PROPER PREFLIGHT' PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.