Piper PA-24-260 N1XF

Summary

On 10 January 2004 at about 19:25 local time, a Piper PA-24-260 registered N1XF was involved in an accident near Bradford, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 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

10 January 2004 at 19:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Bradford, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Bradford Regional Airport (BFD)

Coordinates

41.8031, -78.6400

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-260

Registration

N1XF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Syracuse → Bradford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC04LA057

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during approach.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to departing his home airport, the pilot topped off the main fuel tanks. The flight departed with both fuel selectors positioned to "Main." After an approximate 2 hour flight, the pilot was approaching his home airport, and the fuel selectors remained on "Main." While descending from 6,000 feet to 4,000 feet, the engine "hiccupped," and then experienced several minor power surges, before losing total power. The pilot established a proper glide speed, and attempted a straight-in approach for the nearest runway at the home airport. During the glide, the pilot completed the emergency checklist items, which included verification that the electric fuel pump was on, and cycling the fuel selectors through all tanks. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and continued the glide toward runway 23. The pilot maintained glide speed, but the airplane impacted small trees about 2,500 to 3,000 feet prior to the runway. Examination of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Fuel was observed in all fuel tanks, and fuel was present from the selector valve, to the fuel servo, to the flow divider. When power was applied to the electric fuel pump, it operated continuously. Further examination of the engine revealed that the throttle idle adjustment bushing was missing. However, it was unknown if the bushing separated during flight, or during the forced landing. Subsequently, a flow test of the fuel servo and flow divider did not reveal any discrepancies that would have resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.