Piper PA-32-260 N27AP

Summary

On 21 July 2001 at about 21:05 local time, a Piper PA-32-260 registered N27AP was involved in an accident near Chenoa, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2001 at 21:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Chenoa, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Thacker (11LL)

Coordinates

40.7156, -88.7639

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-260

Registration

N27AP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chenoa → Oshkosh

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI01FA233

2 people died.

The inadvertent stall the pilot encountered during his turn with an in-flight loss of engine power due to fuel starvation on initial climbout and the improper in-flight decision he made to continue the turn. Factors were the fuel starvation and the incorrect fuel tank selector position.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain following an in-flight loss of engine power during initial climbout. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. A witness stated, "Took of[f] to south. Normal acceleration. ... In left turn sounded like engine lost power. (no backfire)" Another witness stated, "Looked north when t[he] plane engine cut out. Plane low, heading south east, turning easterly w[ith] slight climb or level flying." The day prior, the airplane was fueled with 58.3 gallons of 100LL. The local wind was 190 degrees at 07 knots. The propeller was found attached to the engine. Both propeller blades exhibited aft bending. Flight control continuity was established. Control continuity was established to the engine. The fuel selector was found damaged and indicating a position between left and right tanks. Fuel was found in the right tip tank, in the fuel selector valve, in the fuel line to the engine driven fuel pump, in the engine driven fuel pump, and in the carburetor's accelerator pump cylinder. The electric fuel pump was observed pumping a liquid when electric power was applied. The engine driven fuel pump was disassembled and no anomalies were exhibited. The fuel selector valve was disassembled and its internal valve components were found positioned between tanks. The engine was test run up to full power with the original carburetor and magnetoes. No anomalies were noted during the test run. Observations of surrounding farmland revealed suitable landing areas for a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.