RED HOOK, NY, USA
N31634
PIPER PA-28-161
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, HE 'SWITCHED OFF THE AIRCRAFT HEADLIGHT.' THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE STOPPING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP SWITCH WAS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE LANDING LIGHT SWITCH; IT WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE BOOST PUMP WAS TESTED, AND IT OPERATED PROPERLY.
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP DURING TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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