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NTSB Report
September 10, 1986 · Piper PA-28-181 · N4350K
Fredericksburg, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Fredericksburg, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N4350K
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO86LA045
THE ACFT NOSED OVER DRG A FORCED LNDG FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT RPRTD THAT BOTH HE &THE PASSENGERS VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO VERIFY THAT THEY WERE FULL OF FUEL. THE PWR LOSS OCCURRED APRX 25 MI FROM THE DESTN. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENG WHICH OPERATED FOR 2 TO 3 MIN BEFORE QUITTING AGAIN. THE ACFT CLEARED PWR LINES DRG THE FORCED LNDG APCH; HOWEVER, IT TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON ROUGH GROUND & NOSED OVER WHILE ROLLING ON UPHILL TERRAIN. THE PLT RPRTD THE EN ROUTE FLT TIME WAS 1 HR & 35 MIN; HOWEVER, A POLICE RPRT INDICATED A TIME OF AT LEAST 3 HRS & 5 MIN. FUEL CONSUMPITON DRG A 2.5 HR FLT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY WAS APRX 11 GPH. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND AT THE ACDNT SITE. THE ACFT WAS CHECKED FOR FUEL LEAKS & NONE WERE FOUND. THE PLT STATED THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS WERE INACCURATE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE ACCURATE DRG A POST ACDNT EXAM.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT NOSED OVER DRG A FORCED LNDG FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT RPRTD THAT BOTH HE &THE PASSENGERS VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO VERIFY THAT THEY WERE FULL OF FUEL. THE PWR LOSS OCCURRED APRX 25 MI FROM THE DESTN. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENG WHICH OPERATED FOR 2 TO 3 MIN BEFORE QUITTING AGAIN. THE ACFT CLEARED PWR LINES DRG THE FORCED LNDG APCH; HOWEVER, IT TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON ROUGH GROUND & NOSED OVER WHILE ROLLING ON UPHILL TERRAIN. THE PLT RPRTD THE EN ROUTE FLT TIME WAS 1 HR & 35 MIN; HOWEVER, A POLICE RPRT INDICATED A TIME OF AT LEAST 3 HRS & 5 MIN. FUEL CONSUMPITON DRG A 2.5 HR FLT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY WAS APRX 11 GPH. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND AT THE ACDNT SITE. THE ACFT WAS CHECKED FOR FUEL LEAKS & NONE WERE FOUND. THE PLT STATED THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS WERE INACCURATE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE ACCURATE DRG A POST ACDNT EXAM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:53 EDT
Nearest Airport7nm WSW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN4350K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 12 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC