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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 17, 1993 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6943W

Canton, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Canton, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6943W
Operator
William Robinson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO93LA094

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD 25 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE DEPARTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ACCURATELY VERIFY HIS FUEL LOAD BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS BELOW THE TAB IN THE TANKS USED FOR SIGHT MEASUREMENTS. ABOUT TWO HOURS AND 13 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT DECIDED TO DITCH THE AIRPLANE IN A SHALLOW LAKE ABOUT FOUR MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE; THE FUEL TANKS WERE NOT COMPROMISED AND CONTAINED ABOUT ONE QUART OF FUEL IN EACH TANK. THIS AMOUNT IS LESS THAN THE PUBLISHED USABLE FUEL QUANTITY FOR THE AIRPLANE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING WHEN DETERMINING HIS FUEL LOAD, WHICH LED TO AN EXHAUSTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SUPPLY.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 1993, about 1315 hours eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 28 140, N6943W, registered to Robert G. Wadeson, Jr., was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Louisville, Mississippi, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot in his statement to the NTSB; "On our second leg of flight from [New Orleans, Louisiana] to [Kokomo, Indiana], we stopped at Louisville for fuel. We took on 17 gallons, with 25 gallons on board we departed for Lake Barkley . . . . two hours and 13 minutes into the flight . . . the engine quit. . . . I put the plane down about 20 yards from shore in 3 to 4 feet of water." According to the pilot in his statement to the FAA, he was unable to accurately determine his fuel load, because the amount of fuel was below the tab in the tanks used for sight measurements. An examination by an FAA inspector at the accident site revealed that "approximately one quart of fuel from each of the two tanks . . . " was found, and the tanks were not compromised. The inspector also reported that the airplane ". . . suffered substantial damaged to the right wing." No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6943W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam Robinson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 3 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data