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NTSB Report
April 27, 1990 · Piper PA28-235 · N9488W
Granbury, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Granbury, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA28-235
Tail Number
N9488W
Operator
John W Smith
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA101
THE PILOT OF THE SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE ON A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AT LOW ALTITUDE WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. HE ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND IMPACTED INTO A FIELD. HE STATED THAT HE RAN A TANK DRY, THUS STARVING THE ENGINE AND WAS FLYING TOO LOW TO GLIDE TO A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR THE POSITION OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE ON A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AT LOW ALTITUDE WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. HE ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AND RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND IMPACTED INTO A FIELD. HE STATED THAT HE RAN A TANK DRY, THUS STARVING THE ENGINE AND WAS FLYING TOO LOW TO GLIDE TO A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA28-235
Tail NumberN9488W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn W Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO