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NTSB Report
July 23, 1986 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5041W
Dozier, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Dozier, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5041W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86LA205
THE PRIVATE PLT AND HIS PAX WERE ON A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLT WHEN HE RAN ONE FUEL TANK DRY AND THE ENG SPUTTERED. HE SWITCHED TO THE OTHER TANK AND THE ENG CAUGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN QUIT. HE LET DOWN OVER A HEAVILY FORESTED AREA AND STALLED THE ACFT INTO THE TREES. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AFTER THE CRASH REVEALED NO PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. LATER THE OWNER REPORTED THAT HE FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT OF THE ENG BROKEN BUT IT DID NOT SHOW DAMAGE THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT IT BROKE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PLT AND HIS PAX WERE ON A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLT WHEN HE RAN ONE FUEL TANK DRY AND THE ENG SPUTTERED. HE SWITCHED TO THE OTHER TANK AND THE ENG CAUGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN QUIT. HE LET DOWN OVER A HEAVILY FORESTED AREA AND STALLED THE ACFT INTO THE TREES. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AFTER THE CRASH REVEALED NO PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. LATER THE OWNER REPORTED THAT HE FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT OF THE ENG BROKEN BUT IT DID NOT SHOW DAMAGE THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT IT BROKE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5041W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:45
Weather SourceWFAC