Accident Overview
On October 7, 2015, at about 1420 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N7506W) experienced a complete loss of engine power during the initial climb after departing from Compton/Woodley Airport in Compton, California. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local personal flight had originated from Compton/Woodley Airport around 1415.
Pilot Report
In a written statement, the pilot reported that before preflight, he noticed the airplane was marked with an "X" on the "squawk board." He asked the owner about it, and the owner erased the mark, stating that the airplane "is okay." During preflight, the pilot visually checked the fuel levels: the right tank was more than half full, and the left tank was less than half full. The engine oil level indicated 4.5 quarts, so he added a quart. No abnormalities were noted during preflight or engine run-up.
During climb to about 400 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot switched the electric fuel pump from ON to OFF, then switched the fuel selector from right to left tank and again turned the fuel pump OFF, but could not regain power. He then returned the fuel selector to the right tank, switched the fuel pump OFF, and executed a forced landing. According to local law enforcement, during the landing roll the airplane struck a 4-foot-tall chain link fence and came to rest in a rear yard of a residential building.
Witness Account
A witness reported hearing the engine lose power shortly after takeoff while the airplane was still over the runway. The witness saw the pilot initiate a left turn and heard the engine momentarily regain power. After several seconds, the engine lost power again, and the pilot initiated a forced landing.
Examination Findings
The recovered engine and airframe were examined on November 17, 2015, at the Tomorrow Aeronautical Museum facility in Compton by representatives from Piper Aircraft, Lycoming Engines, the FAA, and under NTSB supervision. The engine remained attached to the mount; the propeller and accessories were intact. Mechanical continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train. Thumb compression and suction were obtained on all four cylinders. Internal borescope examination showed normal carbon deposits and intact valves with no foreign object ingestion. Both magnetos were synchronized within 1 degree and produced sparks. The fuel pump diaphragm was intact. The carburetor was undamaged, with intact floats and a clean fuel screen.
The right wing was separated from the fuselage; the left wing remained attached. The right fuel tank was breached with no evidence of fuel; the left tank was breached with residual fuel. The ELT was in the OFF position with a broken antenna. The fuel strainer screen was clean and dry. The fuel selector valve was in the OFF position and functioned properly. Fuel line continuity was established to both wings. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Fuel Calculations
A fuel receipt from October 3, 2015, showed the airplane was serviced with 19.2 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel. The pilot who refueled it stated he visually checked the level after refueling, noting both tanks were half full (fuel at the indicator tab of 17 gallons). He then flew for 1.3 hours. During that flight, he took off with the fuel selector on the left tank and switched to the right tank about halfway through. According to the pilot’s operating handbook, each tank has a capacity of 25 gallons (24 usable), and fuel consumption is about 10 gallons per hour. Calculations indicated that after 1.3 hours of flight, about 13 gallons of fuel would have been used.