Piper PA-28-140 accident near Chico, California, July 5, 1998
On July 5, 1998 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N592SP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chico, California (Ranchaero airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 1998 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Chico, California · Ranchaero · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N592SP · no longer on the register · serial 28-22438
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he refueled the airplane with 50 gallons of fuel, 25 in each wing tank, prior to departure from his home base. He then flew to the accident airport, approximately 1 hour away. The next day he took family out for airplane rides. After takeoff, on the first flight of the day, he noted a decrease in engine rpm and could not maintain climb altitude. After the airplane started to lose altitude it impacted trees located at the departure end of the runway. A postimpact fire subsequently destroyed the airplane. The pilot stated that he had selected the left tank for departure, as the right tank was low. Post examination of the fuel selector position revealed that the right tank had been selected. Aircraft and engine continuity were established and no discrepancies were noted. The engine uses about 8 gallons per hour at cruise power settings.
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: 904 hours in all; 333 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 787 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,181 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 14, 1998; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 2,280 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from CIC
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.