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November 5, 1987 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8303Y

Bonne Terre, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bonne Terre, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8303Y
Operator
Professional Aeronautics
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC88LA015

THE PLT RPRTD THE ENG LOST PWR FM FUEL EXHAUSTION AS HE WAS CRUISING AT NGT ON A X-COUNTRY FLT AT 6500' MSL. HE DECLAREDAN EMERG WITH ST LOUIS APCH & REQD VECTORS TO THE NEAREST ARPT. THE CONTROLLER (CTLR) PROVIDED VECTORS TO THE BONNE TERRE ARPT WHICH WAS ABOUT 7 MI AWAY, BUT IT HAD NEITHER RWY LGTS NOR A ROTATING BEACON. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ARPT & ELECTED TO MAKE A NGT LNDG ON A ROADWAY. AS HE WAS LNDG, THERE WAS A LEFT CURVE IN THE ROADWAY. WHILE LNDG IN A LEFT BANK OVER THE CURVED ROAD, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GND & THE ACFT GND LOOPED & WAS DAMAGED. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 1 MI FM THE UNLIGHTED ARPT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS A LIGHTED ARPT ABOUT THE SAME DISTANCE FM WHERE THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT DRG A PREFLT, HE NOTED THE FUEL WAS AT/NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE SLEEVES (TABS). HE THOUGHT THE TANKS WERE INSIDE THE WING SKIN & THAT THE TABS REPRESENTED A FULL FUEL LVL, WHEN ACTUALLY THE FUEL TANKS WERE ABOUT 1-1/2 INCH BELOW THE FULL LVL. ALSO, HE SAID HE ENCOUNTERED UNEXPECTED HEADWINDS DRG THE FLT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THE ENG LOST PWR FM FUEL EXHAUSTION AS HE WAS CRUISING AT NGT ON A X-COUNTRY FLT AT 6500' MSL. HE DECLAREDAN EMERG WITH ST LOUIS APCH & REQD VECTORS TO THE NEAREST ARPT. THE CONTROLLER (CTLR) PROVIDED VECTORS TO THE BONNE TERRE ARPT WHICH WAS ABOUT 7 MI AWAY, BUT IT HAD NEITHER RWY LGTS NOR A ROTATING BEACON. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ARPT & ELECTED TO MAKE A NGT LNDG ON A ROADWAY. AS HE WAS LNDG, THERE WAS A LEFT CURVE IN THE ROADWAY. WHILE LNDG IN A LEFT BANK OVER THE CURVED ROAD, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GND & THE ACFT GND LOOPED & WAS DAMAGED. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 1 MI FM THE UNLIGHTED ARPT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS A LIGHTED ARPT ABOUT THE SAME DISTANCE FM WHERE THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT DRG A PREFLT, HE NOTED THE FUEL WAS AT/NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE SLEEVES (TABS). HE THOUGHT THE TANKS WERE INSIDE THE WING SKIN & THAT THE TABS REPRESENTED A FULL FUEL LVL, WHEN ACTUALLY THE FUEL TANKS WERE ABOUT 1-1/2 INCH BELOW THE FULL LVL. ALSO, HE SAID HE ENCOUNTERED UNEXPECTED HEADWINDS DRG THE FLT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:20 CST
Nearest AirportBonne Terre (1nm E)
Runway32
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8303Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorProfessional Aeronautics
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-DG3 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data