BRICKERVILLE, PA, USA
N8262K
Piper PA-28-181
Shortly after departure, the pilot noticed a rise in engine oil and cylinder head temperature. As the pilot turned back toward the airport for landing, he experienced a loss of oil pressure, followed by a loss of partial engine power. The pilot performed a precautionary landing to a field. He shut the engine down, inspected it, and found no discrepancies. Several minutes later, the pilot restarted the engine, and having observed all engine instruments in the green, performed a takeoff. During the initial climb, the engine lost all power and the pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field. Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel selector valve in the 'OFF' position and that fuel lines from the lowest points of the fuel system, and the carburetor bowl were observed to contain only a few drops of fuel. There was no evidence of pre impact mechanical malfunction to the airplane.
On August 19, 1997, about 1940 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8262K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a takeoff from a cornfield near Brickerville, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated at the Lancaster Airport (LNS), Lancaster, Pennsylvania. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that shortly after departing Lancaster, he observed the oil temperature rise into "the red zone". He also observed a rise in the cylinder head temperature. The pilot performed a 180 degree turn back to LNS. Approximately 5 miles west of LNS, the pilot experienced a loss of oil pressure and a loss of partial engine power. He requested permission to land at LNS. Shortly thereafter, the pilot announced his intentions and performed a precautionary landing to a field. The pilot inspected the engine after shutdown, and observed full oil and no fluid leaks. Several minutes later, the pilot restarted the engine and observed all engine instruments indicated in the green. The pilot took off and experienced a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. The pilot said he heard the stall warning horn during the subsequent forced landing. He stated that prior to departure from the field, "...the fuel was on with full tanks, also [fuel] pump was still on." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the fuel selector valve was selected to the "OFF" position. The radios and electrical power were in the "ON" positions, and the throttle and mixture control levers were in the full forward positions. Fuel lines from the lowest points of the fuel system, and the carburetor bowl, were drained. A few drops of fuel were observed. When electrical power was applied to the airplane, the fuel gauges indicated full. Fuel samples from both fuel tanks were free of contamination. Further inspection by the FAA Inspector revealed that the engine had an appearance of being well maintained. The engine oil was at full capacity, and clean. During the inspection, the fuel selector was rotated to the "ON" position, and the electric fuel pump was activated, the engine started instantly. No evidence of pre impact malfunction was found during the wreckage examination. The pilot reported 330 hours of total flight experience, of which 55 hours were in make and model.
Fuel starvation as a result of the pilot performing a takeoff with the fuel selector in the 'OFF' position.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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