Las Palmas, PR, USA
N2838T
Piper PA-28-140
Following a 30 minute flight from Humacao, Puerto Rico, the pilot's first attempt to land on runway 10 at Patillas Airport, Las Palmas, resulted in a go-around because the approach path was too high. During the go-around, at between 400 and 500 feet agl, the engine lost partial power, and the pilot elected to execute a quick course reversal and land on runway 28. The emergency approach and landing were fast and long, necessitating another go-around with whatever power was available. The pilot managed to over-fly the airport perimeter fence, but collided with the terrain on the other side of the fence, sustaining substantial damage to the aircraft. Postcrash examination of the aircraft revealed the fuel selector was selected to the right fuel tank, which was found empty. The pilot stated he had not switched tanks since takeoff.
On October 23, 2002, about 1600 Atlantic standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N2838T, registered to East Wing Aviation, Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed in the vicinity of Las Palmas, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private rated pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Humacao, Puerto Rico, about 30 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, he realized that he was too high for a safe landing to Patillas Airport's runway 10, and elected to conduct a go-around. During the go-around, at 400 to 500 feet agl, the engine lost partial power, and his best option was to perform a 180- degree course reversal and attempt an emergency landing on runway 28. His touchdown occurred about runway mid-length with excessive approach speed. He attempted a partial power go-around, cleared the airport perimeter fence, and collided with the terrain on the other side of the fence due to insufficient airspeed. The surface of the terrain was rough dirt and grass, and the landing gear collapsed. According to an FAA inspector, following examination of the wreckage and interviewing the pilot, during the pilot's go-around from runway 10, a partial engine power loss necessitated his attempting to make an emergency approach and landing to runway 28. That approach resulted in a long, fast touchdown due to a tailwind, and the pilot again attempted a go-around. During the second go-around, using partial engine power, the pilot had to effect an abrupt pull-up to miss a fence at the departure end of runway 28. The fence was cleared, but the aircraft crashed in a field on the other side of the fence, collapsing the three landing gear and striking the propeller. The right fuel tank was found empty, and the pilot admitted he did not switch tanks from right to left tank since his departure from Humacao. The left fuel tank contained about 18 gallons of 100 octane LL fuel, which was the quantity observed before departure. The underside of the wings and fuselage revealed no evidence of fuel leakage.
The pilot's failure to switch fuel tanks resulting in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a go-around. Additionally, the pilot's failure to monitor airspeed and proper touchdown point during the emergency landing resulted in another go-around attempt with partial power and inadequate airspeed that caused a collision with a field off the end of the runway.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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