1988-07-13: Piper PA-22-150 — Mason, Douglas A. — Compton, CA

Casualties unknown • Compton, CA, US

Probable cause

STUDENT PILOTS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY REMOVE MOISTURE FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

AFTER THE STUDENT PILOT DRAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL FROM THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SUMP HE AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS ENPLANED FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED FOR THE FLIGHT IT STOPPED FOUR TIMES WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF. A PASSENGER STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT USED THE FUEL PRIMER IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING. AFTER AN ENGINE RUN-UP THE PILOT TOOKOFF. THE ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. A POST CRASH FIRE ERUPTED AND DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1988-07-13 Piper PA-22-150 accident near Compton, CA?

AFTER THE STUDENT PILOT DRAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL FROM THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SUMP HE AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS ENPLANED FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED FOR THE FLIGHT IT STOPPED FOUR TIMES WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF. A PASSENGER STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT USED THE FUEL PRIMER IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1988-07-13 involved a Piper PA-22-150, registration N6926B, operated by Mason, Douglas A., at Compton, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

STUDENT PILOTS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY REMOVE MOISTURE FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26261. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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