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NTSB Report
September 15, 1987 · Piper PA-28-140 · N15793
Emmaus, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Emmaus, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N15793
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC87LA255
DRG FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER OVER A RESIDENTIAL AREA & THE PLT SELECTED A SMALL FENCED-IN OPENING FOR AN EMERGENCY LNDG. HE SAID HE CRASHED NOSEWHEEL 1ST, THEN SKIDDED INTO A CYCLONE FENCE. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FND POSITIONED TO THE RGT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE LEFT TANK STILL HAD 18 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN TRAINED IN CESSNA 150 & 152 ACFT WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE MANUALLY CHANGING FUEL TANKS. ALSO, HE STATED THAT 'IN A CRUISE SITUATION, THE THOUGHT OF CHANGING TANKS NEVER ENTERED MY MIND.' HE HAD ONLY 97 HRS TOTAL TIME WITH 5 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.
Full Narrative
DRG FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER OVER A RESIDENTIAL AREA & THE PLT SELECTED A SMALL FENCED-IN OPENING FOR AN EMERGENCY LNDG. HE SAID HE CRASHED NOSEWHEEL 1ST, THEN SKIDDED INTO A CYCLONE FENCE. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FND POSITIONED TO THE RGT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE LEFT TANK STILL HAD 18 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN TRAINED IN CESSNA 150 & 152 ACFT WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE MANUALLY CHANGING FUEL TANKS. ALSO, HE STATED THAT 'IN A CRUISE SITUATION, THE THOUGHT OF CHANGING TANKS NEVER ENTERED MY MIND.' HE HAD ONLY 97 HRS TOTAL TIME WITH 5 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN15793
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 140
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind290° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO