EAST HADDAM, CT, USA
N2876Z
PIPER PA-28-181
AS N2867Z LIFTED OFF DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE RUNNING INTERMITTENTLY AND ROUGHLY. IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES AND WAS FOUND IN 10 FEET OF WATER IN A POND OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE DOOR WAS DAMAGED DURING COLLISION WITH THE WATER, PREVENTING THE OCCUPANTS FROM ESCAPING. THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED, AND AFTER DRYING OUT, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. THE FUEL SYSTEM ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK REQUIRES THAT THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP BE ON DURING TAKEOFF.
THE NON-MECHANICAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE THE AUXILIARY FUEL BOOST PUMP DURING TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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