On November 8, 2004, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N411CP) was involved in an aviation accident near Chamblee, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power. . This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot declared an emergency but collided with a house during forced landing. Investigation found fuel starvation: main tanks empty, right tip tank separated, no fuel in lines.
Incident Description
Shortly after departure, the engine began to sputter and lose power. The pilot attempted to restore power but was unsuccessful. A distress call was made, and during the subsequent forced landing, the aircraft struck a house.
Post-Accident Examination
Inspection of the airplane revealed that the left and right main fuel tanks contained no fuel. The left tip tank held approximately five gallons of fuel. The right tip tank had separated from the aircraft during the collision sequence, and no browning of grass or fuel remnants were observed at its location. Additionally, fuel was absent from the fuel lines connecting the right tip tank to the engine. The engine itself was tested and ran successfully.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that the airplane had departed with 14 gallons of fuel in the right tip tank.
What happened in the 8 Nov 2004 Piper PA-32-260 accident near Chamblee, GA?
Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot declared an emergency but collided with a house during forced landing. Investigation found fuel starvation: main tanks empty, right tip tank separated, no fuel in lines.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Nov 2004 involved a Piper PA-32-260, registration N411CP, at Chamblee, GA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power. .
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…