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Casualties unknown

Forced Landing Following Loss of Engine Power During Climb (N8710P)

Napa, CA, US

On May 6, 2001, a Piper PA-24-260 (registration N8710P) was involved in an aviation accident near Napa, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's failure to verify the fuel supply before flight, and his improper fuel management, that resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power during takeoff climb resulting in a forced landing and collision with ground obstacles. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a touch-and-go, the airplane lost engine power on climb. The pilot forced-landed near the runway end, rolled across a field, struck a fence, and stopped in a ditch. The airplane departed 35 minutes earlier with main tanks half full and aux tanks full; the pilot did not verify fuel gauge indications. In this airplane type, takeoffs and landings require fuel from main tanks.

Event Description

During a touch-and-go landing, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power while climbing. The pilot executed a forced landing. The airplane touched down near the end of the runway, then rolled across a field, struck a fence, and eventually came to rest in a ditch.

Fuel Status

The airplane had departed approximately 35 minutes prior to the incident. At that time, the main fuel tanks indicated half full and the auxiliary fuel tanks indicated full. The pilot did not verify the indications provided by the fuel quantity gauges. In the specific model of airplane involved, takeoffs and landings are required to be performed with fuel being drawn from the main fuel tanks.

Remarks

No further information regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, time of day, weather conditions, or occupant status was provided in the source.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010510X00927. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.