Piper PA-28-180 N54397

Summary

On 29 September 2004 at about 18:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N54397 was involved in an accident near Avondale, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 September 2004 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Avondale, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

New Garden Airport (N57)

Coordinates

39.8331, -75.7822

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N54397

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Toughkenamon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC04FA220

1 person died.

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in fuel contamination and a subsequent loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After departing the airport, as the airplane initiated a climb to about 200 feet, the engine began to sputter. The airplane then turned to the right, while maintaining a climb attitude, and the engine subsequently lost total power. The airplane stalled and descended towards the ground out of control, impacting a wooded area. The airplane came to rest about 1/2 mile west of the runway, approximately abeam the departure end. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the gascolator bowl, engine driven fuel pump, and carburetor bowl, were contaminated with water. Additional examination of the engine and its related components did not reveal any anomalies. According to a local fire fighter, the airport had received about 8-10 inches of rain during the proceeding 2 days prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.