Accident Details
On September 19, 2016, at approximately 1700 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301 airplane, registration N4477F, collided with a tree and terrain during a forced landing near Grants, New Mexico. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff from Grants-Milan Municipal Airport (GNT). The pilot and two passengers were uninjured, but the airplane was destroyed by impact and a subsequent ground fire.
The flight was a personal trip under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, originating from GNT and destined for Cedar City Regional Airport, Utah. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot's accident report, the pre-flight inspection and before-takeoff checklist were completed. After taxiing to runway 31, the pilot applied full throttle, and the takeoff roll was normal. The airplane lifted off approximately 5,000 feet down the runway at 80 knots. About 100 feet above ground level and roughly two seconds after lift-off, the pilot heard a "gurgle" and the engine lost power. The pilot verified the fuel pump was on and the throttle was fully open. Turning about 20 degrees left, he determined a return to the airport was not possible. He selected a landing site between two trees. During the landing roll, the airplane turned left toward a tree, and the pilot could not correct with right rudder. The airplane struck the tree and caught fire. The pilot and passengers evacuated and ran from the fire.
Aircraft Information
N4477F was a 1976-model Piper PA-32R-301, serial number 32R-7680449. It was a low-wing, all-metal, single-engine, six-place monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear. It was powered by a fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540 six-cylinder engine (serial L-15137-48A) driving a Hartzell variable-pitch propeller.
Weather and Airport
The recorded weather at GNT at 1655 was: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 30°C; dew point -13°C; altimeter 30.28 inHg. The temperature and dew point were not conducive to carburetor icing. GNT is a public, non-towered airport owned by the City of Grants, New Mexico, located about three miles northwest of Grants. It has a surveyed elevation of 6,536.9 feet msl and one asphalt runway, 13/31, 7,172 feet long by 40 feet wide.
Wreckage Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration Air Safety Inspector examined the wreckage, which was badly damaged by fire. The fuel selector handle was not in the "full on" position for a fuel tank; an image showed it positioned between the left tank and off positions. The Piper service manual states that when the fuel selector handle is not in a positive detent, more than one port may be open. Piper Service Bulletin 772 notes that excessive freeplay in certain fuel selector valves can cause the indicated position not to correspond with the actual position, leading to partial or restricted fuel flow and possible power loss. The bulletin recommends checking for positive detent during each preflight. The installed valve version could not be determined due to fire damage. The Pilot's Operating Handbook provided procedures for engine power loss during takeoff but did not amplify the importance of ensuring the fuel selector is in a positive detent.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not state a probable cause.