Friday, November 21, 2014

Piper PA-28-181 Archer, N2204Q, Rocky Mountain Flight School: Accident occurred November 20, 2014 in Strasburg, Colorado

G & M AIRCRAFT INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N2204Q

NTSB Identification: CEN15CA055
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, November 20, 2014 in Strasburg, CO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/11/2015
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28-181, registration: N2204Q
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that the airplane was operated on a visual flight rules night flight. He estimated that the airplane had about 30 to 32 gallons of fuel prior to departure from the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, about 1825 mst. During the flight, intermittent electrical issues were experienced including static in the headsets, flickering instrument panel lights and a fluctuating ammeter gauge. Attempts were made to alleviate the electrical issues to no avail. A touch and go landing was made at the Kit Carson Airport (ITR), Burlington, Colorado, and a decision was made to shorten the flight and return to the departure airport. The pilot reported that the fuel gauges indicated that the airplane had about 8 gallons remaining in each fuel tank about his time. After 20 minutes had elapsed from the departure from ITR, the fuel gauges showed empty. About 2035 mst, the engine stopped producing power and the pilot switched to the opposite fuel tank. The engine restarted and the flight continued for about 4 to 5 more minutes when the engine again stopped producing power. During the forced landing attempt the airplane struck wires and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot and the flight instructor stated that the airplane's fuel load prior to departure should have been sufficient for a flight of about 3 hours. The total duration of the accident flight was about 2.25 hours. Examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident revealed no fuel remaining in either wing tank. There was no evidence of a fuel spill and no preimpact anomalies were found with respect to the airplane's fuel system. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by ordering more fuel prior to departure or obtaining fuel at ITR. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane's fuel supply was exhausted resulting in a complete loss of engine power. It is also possible that the observed fuel gauge reading were innacurate given the electrical problems encountered during the flight.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The exhaustion of the fuel supply resulting in a complete loss of engine power.

The pilot reported that the airplane was operated on a visual flight rules night flight. He estimated that the airplane had about 30 to 32 gallons of fuel prior to departure from the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, about 1825 mst . During the flight, intermittent electrical issues were experienced including static in the headsets, flickering instrument panel lights and a fluctuating ammeter gauge. Attempts were made to alleviate the electrical issues to no avail. A touch and go landing was made at the Kit Carson Airport (ITR), Burlington, Colorado, and a decision was made to shorten the flight and return to the departure airport. The pilot reported that the fuel gauges indicated that the airplane had about 8 gallons remaining in each fuel tank about his time. After 20 minutes had elapsed from the departure from ITR, the fuel gauges showed empty. About 2035 mst, the engine stopped producing power and the pilot switched to the opposite fuel tank. The engine restarted and the flight continued for about 4 to 5 more minutes when the engine again stopped producing power. During the forced landing attempt the airplane struck wires and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot and the flight instructor stated that the airplane's fuel load prior to departure should have been sufficient for a flight of about 3 hours. The total duration of the accident flight was about 2.25 hours. Examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident revealed no fuel remaining in either wing tank. There was no evidence of a fuel spill and no preimpact anomalies were found with respect to the airplane's fuel system. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by ordering more fuel prior to departure or obtaining fuel at ITR. The airplane was equipped with electrically powered fuel level gauges and electrical fuel level sending units. Federal Aviation Administration regulations for visual flights during night conditions require carriage of sufficient fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and an additional 45 minutes. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane's fuel supply was exhausted resulting in a complete loss of engine power. It is also possible that the observed fuel gauge readings during the flight were innacurate given the electrical problems encountered during the flight.

Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office: FAA Denver FSDO-03

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — Two people were were taken to a hospital after the plane they were in flipped upside down in a field while trying to make an emergency landing Thursday night.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office said the pilot reported the plane had engine failure about 8:40 p.m.

The pilot tried to land on a roadway at 38th Avenue and Headline Road northeast of Strasburg, about 12 miles east of Front Range Airport.

The single-engine plane hit some power lines and as the plane touched down, it flipped upside down, stopping in a field.

The pilot and a passenger were taken to a hospital as a precaution, but neither reported any injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

The Federal Aviation Administration will begin an investigation Friday.

Several roads in the area are closed because of the downed power lines and there are some localized power outages.

Crews were working to restore the power, and the roads will remain closed until the repairs are made sometime mid- to late Friday morning.





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