Piper PA-32-260 N933AC

Summary

On 30 June 2000 at about 03:15 local time, a Piper PA-32-260 registered N933AC, operated by Aero Flite Inc., was involved in an accident near Chester, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 June 2000 at 03:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Chester, California, United States

Nearest airport

Rogers Field (O05)

Coordinates

40.2700, -121.2401

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-260

Registration

N933AC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Aero Flite Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Reno

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

LAX00LA247

2 people had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The single engine aircraft lost power at 150 feet agl on takeoff climb and subsequently ditched in a lake off the end of the runway. The aircraft had four fuel tanks that could be individually selected to supply fuel to the engine. The pilot reported fueling the four tanks to capacity on the morning of the accident and then flying three unremarkable flights that consumed about 50 percent of the total fuel. He reported the airplane and engine flew fine and there was no indication of any developing problems with the engine. The pilot said the takeoff on which the accident occurred was routine, the engine was smooth and powerful, and all the instruments were in their normal operating ranges. The fuel selector was on the right tank and there was about 17 gallons fuel in that tank. When about 150 feet agl, he reduced the propeller rpm and, at that time, the engine started "cutting out." It never totally quit. He verified that the fuel boost pump was on, and recalled that the fuel pressure gauge and oil pressure gauge were in the green arc. He changed fuel tanks but had no more time to attempt to restart the engine before ditching. The second pilot reported that he believed the engine "picked up" again just before they ditched in the lake. Examination of the aircraft and engine after recovery from the lake failed to reveal any mechanical irregularity. The carburetor was lost in the lake during recovery and was not found.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.