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NTSB Report
March 22, 1986 · Piper PA-28-181 · N30561
Oil Trough, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 22, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Oil Trough, AR
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N30561
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA073
THE PIC FOUND HIMSELF LOW ON FUEL WITH AN INDICATION OF ONLY 5 GALLONS IN EACH TANK. HE PASSED OVER AN ARPT WITH FUELING FACILITIES AVAILABLE BUT DIVERTED TO BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS, WHICH LAY 48 MILES BEYOND HIS PRESENT POSN. THE PIC STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING EAST OF THE BATEVILLE ARPT, BUT AS THE PIC TURNED TO LAND IN A FIELD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE ENSUING LANDING DAMAGED THE ACFT. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING CALCULATION WAS FOR 5.5 HOURS OF FUEL, BUT THE FLT TERMINATED AT 4.6 HOURS. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS CONFIRMED NO FUEL. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGES DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNIFICANT ERROR IN THE INDICATION. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED FOR A PLANNED FUEL STOP BEFORE NEEDING TO USE THE RESERVE FUEL SUPPLY.
Full Narrative
THE PIC FOUND HIMSELF LOW ON FUEL WITH AN INDICATION OF ONLY 5 GALLONS IN EACH TANK. HE PASSED OVER AN ARPT WITH FUELING FACILITIES AVAILABLE BUT DIVERTED TO BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS, WHICH LAY 48 MILES BEYOND HIS PRESENT POSN. THE PIC STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING EAST OF THE BATEVILLE ARPT, BUT AS THE PIC TURNED TO LAND IN A FIELD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE ENSUING LANDING DAMAGED THE ACFT. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING CALCULATION WAS FOR 5.5 HOURS OF FUEL, BUT THE FLT TERMINATED AT 4.6 HOURS. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS CONFIRMED NO FUEL. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGES DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNIFICANT ERROR IN THE INDICATION. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED FOR A PLANNED FUEL STOP BEFORE NEEDING TO USE THE RESERVE FUEL SUPPLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN30561
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC