Piper PA-24-250 N8309P

Summary

On 21 February 1999 at about 17:40 local time, a Piper PA-24-250 registered N8309P was involved in an accident near Everglades City, Florida, United States. 4 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

21 February 1999 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Everglades City, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Everglades Airpark (XO1)

Coordinates

25.8305, -81.4004

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-250

Registration

N8309P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Key West

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA089

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the PIC to maintain directional control on takeoff roll following a loss of power brought about by fuel starvation due to the PIC's failure to verify the proper setting of the fuel selector valve, and the subsequent collision with trees during the attempt to abort the takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated his engine run-up, power application, and rotation on takeoff appeared normal until the airplane settled back onto the runway and would not respond to further pitch control inputs. He had no sensory perception of power loss, but the airplane would not fly and he lost directional control off the right side of the runway into trees. Subsequent examination of the airplane by FAA Inspectors revealed that the fuel selector valve was in the 'off' position and no fuel was in the fuel lines to the carburetor or primer.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.