Piper PA-32-260 accident near Chenoa, Illinois, July 21, 2001
On July 21, 2001 at about 9:05 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-260, registered N27AP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chenoa, Illinois (Thacker airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadvertent stall the pilot encountered during his turn with an in-flight loss of engine power due to fuel starvation on initial climbout and the improper in-flight decision he made to continue the turn. Factors were the fuel starvation and the incorrect fuel tank selector position.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2001 · about 9:05 pm local time
- Place
- Chenoa, Illinois · Thacker · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260 · all PA-32-260s on the register
- Registration
- N27AP · no longer on the register · serial 32-7300013
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain following an in-flight loss of engine power during initial climbout. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. A witness stated, "Took of[f] to south. Normal acceleration. ... In left turn sounded like engine lost power. (no backfire)" Another witness stated, "Looked north when t[he] plane engine cut out. Plane low, heading south east, turning easterly w[ith] slight climb or level flying." The day prior, the airplane was fueled with 58.3 gallons of 100LL. The local wind was 190 degrees at 07 knots. The propeller was found attached to the engine. Both propeller blades exhibited aft bending. Flight control continuity was established. Control continuity was established to the engine. The fuel selector was found damaged and indicating a position between left and right tanks. Fuel was found in the right tip tank, in the fuel selector valve, in the fuel line to the engine driven fuel pump, in the engine driven fuel pump, and in the carburetor's accelerator pump cylinder. The electric fuel pump was observed pumping a liquid when electric power was applied. The engine driven fuel pump was disassembled and no anomalies were exhibited. The fuel selector valve was disassembled and its internal valve components were found positioned between tanks. The engine was test run up to full power with the original carburetor and magnetoes. No anomalies were noted during the test run. Observations of surrounding farmland revealed suitable landing areas for a forced landing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all
- Last flight review: April 30, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,907 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 12, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 11LL Chenoa IL at 9:05 pm
- Destination: OSH Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,250 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from BMI, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.