Piper PA-38-112 N2535A

Summary

On 2 October 1998 at about 19:30 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 registered N2535A was involved in an accident near Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, 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

2 October 1998 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

New Garden (N57)

Coordinates

39.8308, -75.7501

Aircraft

Piper PA-38-112

Registration

N2535A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99LA003

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspections which failed to detect an open fuel strainer valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After the airplane was preflighted, the SP started the engine, and taxied the airplane for takeoff. After checking both magnetos, the SP executed the takeoff. The airplane accelerated normally, but after, but approximately 60 feet above the ground, the CFI felt a loss of power. He took control of the airplane, extended the flaps, and started to slip the airplane. While slipping the airplane, the CFI confirmed that the primmer was in, the fuel pump was on, and the fuel selector was on the right tank. The airplane touched down passed the departure end of the runway then went over a 30 foot drop-off nose first. No mechanical failures were detected when the engine was examined. The fuel strainer was found locked in the open position, which would allow the engine fuel pump to suck air. The pilot's operating hand states that during the preflight the pilot should drain the fuel strainer.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.