Piper PA-28-140 accident near Chico, CA
On July 5, 1998, a Piper PA-28-140 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Chico, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 5, 1998
- Place
- Chico, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.741°N, 121.829°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10624
NTSB summary
On July 5, 1998, at 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N592SP, experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff from runway 15 at Ranchaero airport, Chico, California. The airplane, operated under 14 CFR Part 91, subsequently struck a tree and was destroyed in a postimpact fire. The private pilot/owner sustained minor injuries and the passenger incurred serious injuries and succumbed to those injuries approximately 16 days later. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that the airplane had been refueled with 50 gallons of fuel the day before the accident at Woodland airport prior to departing for Ranchaero. He stated that the flight took approximately 1 hour, and after arrival they went to a family residence where they spent the night. The next day the pilot and family members went to the airport to have a picnic and to give airplane rides around Chico. The pilot stated that at the departure end of the runway is an orchard. After takeoff for the first flight of the day, he noted a decrease in engine rpm, and the airplane did not have sufficient power to maintain altitude. The pilot stated that as the airplane started to lose altitude it started to impact the tops of the trees. After impacting the trees, the pilot noted flames coming from the right side of the cowling. In an interview with a Deputy from the Butte County Sheriff's Office, the pilot stated that he had selected the left tank for takeoff as he had already ran the right tank "very low." The Deputy stated that the right wing
Probable cause
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: California · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
