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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 19, 1995 · Piper PA-28-140 · N56523

Kalkaska, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Kalkaska, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N56523
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA154

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS FUEL SUPPLY WAS EXHAUSTED DUE TO A STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED HEADWIND, AND HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. HE CONFIGURED THE AIRPLANE FOR LANDING AND ESTABLISHED A GLIDEPATH. HE DISCOVERED POWERLINES ACROSS HIS PLANNED GLIDEPATH AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO OVER FLY THE POWERLINES.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's poor preflight and inflight planning and decisions. Factors were the powerlines and the inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On May 19, 1995, at 0810 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N56523, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Kalkaska, Michigan. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a planned destination of East Port, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that his fuel supply was exhausted and he attempted to land on a road. He configured the airplane for landing and established a glidepath. He discovered powerlines across his planned glide path, and stalled the airplane when he attempted to over fly the powerlines. The pilot reported that he calculated the required fuel for the flight. In his written statement he reported that he encountered "stronger than anticipated headwinds at flight altitude" and made an "incorrect estimate of fuel on board as well as actual fuel consumption." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the wreckage, reported that both fuel tanks were empty. He reported no evidence of preimpact airframe or mechanical engine malfunction. The inspector reported that the airplane was last refueled in East Port, Michigan, the night before the accident. According to the inspector, a witness reported that the left tank was topped off and the right tank was filled up to the tab.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN56523
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 140
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data