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NTSB Report
July 11, 1990 · Piper PA-28-161 · N83968
Yarmouth, MA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Yarmouth, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N83968
Operator
Stephen F Butler
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC90LA157
THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH APPROXIMATELY 36 GALLONS OF GAS ON BOARD. AFTER FLYING .9 HOURS, HE HAD A POWER LOSS AND DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN AT A BEACH. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THE RIGHT TANK HELD 1 QUART OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK OVER 15 GALLONS. THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING ON THE RIGHT TANK. ADDITIONALLY THE RIGHT FUEL TANK GAUGE WAS FOUND TO BE INACCURATE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT REALIZED HE HAD BEEN SWITCHING TANKS TOO FAST FOR THE ENGINE TO RESUME NORMAL RUNNING.
NTSB Probable Cause
A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY THE PILOT AND AN IMPROPERLY READING FUEL GAUGE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH APPROXIMATELY 36 GALLONS OF GAS ON BOARD. AFTER FLYING .9 HOURS, HE HAD A POWER LOSS AND DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN AT A BEACH. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THE RIGHT TANK HELD 1 QUART OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK OVER 15 GALLONS. THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING ON THE RIGHT TANK. ADDITIONALLY THE RIGHT FUEL TANK GAUGE WAS FOUND TO BE INACCURATE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT REALIZED HE HAD BEEN SWITCHING TANKS TOO FAST FOR THE ENGINE TO RESUME NORMAL RUNNING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN83968
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStephen F Butler
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D36 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO