Accident Overview
On June 4, 2021, about 1830 central daylight time, a Piper PA28-140 airplane, registration N8208N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Justin, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight Details
The pilot stated that the intention of the flight was to ensure that the airplane operated normally before it was sold. He reported that there were 15 to 20 gallons of fuel in each wing tank, which had been fueled about three months earlier. On the evening of the accident, he had already completed two landings on the grass runway and was completing a third and final takeoff when the accident occurred.
Engine Power Loss and Descent
Immediately after departure, when the airplane was about 45 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a loss of power. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended into trees. The left wing separated at the wing root during the accident sequence, and the airplane came to rest suspended in the trees. The pilot stated that the airplane had not received an annual inspection in about 7 years and had not been flown much in recent years.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted that there was a smell of fuel at the accident site. The left fuel tank was intact and contained about one gallon of fuel. The right fuel tank was breached and did not contain any fuel; the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
Pilot Reporting
The pilot was contacted via email and phone on multiple occasions but did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. The airplane was moved to private property, and the NTSB was unable to examine the wreckage.