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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

October 12, 2000 · Piper PA-28-140 · N732FL

Lansing, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 2000
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Lansing, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N732FL
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA009

The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain during a forced landing after the pilot declared he was out of fuel. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot stated, "Departed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport at 5:01P after refueling. Visually checked fuel level prior to departure for Lansing. ... Fuel starvation occurred east of LAN after 4 hrs and 35 min of flight (approx) and impact 4 1/2 mi east of destination. ... I slowed the aircraft and applied flaps. I headed for a dark area on the ground and impacted trees." Federal Aviation Administration inspectors performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. An inspector stated, "An on scene investigation of the aircraft was conducted as well as an inspection of the engine after recovery of the aircraft. No abnormalities were noted other than there was no fuel in either tank or any evidence of fuel at the scene." The pilot stated that he "figured 9 gal/hr for cruise, leaned 75% at roughly 2500rpm. ... Pilot stated that he probably miscalculated winds."

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inaccurate preflight planning. Factors were the fuel exhaustion, the trees, and the bright night condition.

Full Narrative

On October 11, 2000, about 2138 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N732FL, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain during a forced landing after the pilot declared he was out of fuel near Lansing, Michigan. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, near Avoca, Pennsylvania, about 1701 and was destined for Capital City Airport, near Lansing, Michigan. The pilot stated, "Departed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport at 5:01P after refueling. Visually checked fuel level prior to departure for Lansing. ... Fuel starvation occurred east of LAN after 4 hrs and 35 min of flight (approx) and impact 4 1/2 mi east of destination. ... I slowed the aircraft and applied flaps. I headed for a dark area on the ground and impacted trees." Federal Aviation Administration inspectors performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. An inspector stated, "An on scene investigation of the aircraft was conducted as well as an inspection of the engine after recovery of the aircraft. No abnormalities were noted other than there was no fuel in either tank or any evidence of fuel at the scene. In the interview with [the pilot], he stated that he ran out of fuel and the engine stopped. ... He stated that he used flight following for the entire flight." The pilot stated that he "figured 9 gal/hr for cruise, leaned 75% at roughly 2500rpm. ... Pilot stated that he probably miscalculated winds."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:38 EDT
Nearest AirportCapital City Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN732FL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind250° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data