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NTSB Report
April 19, 1985 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5836P
Fellsmere, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fellsmere, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N5836P
Operator
William Rumpf
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA85LA149
THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN AN OPEN FIELD. ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSEWHEEL STRUCK A DITCH CAUSING IT TO FOLD AND THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP RESTING ON IT'S NOSE. THE PLT HAD DETERMINED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD PRIOR TO TAKEOFF BY STICKING A TWIG IN THE TANKS. THE FLT LASTED FOR 40 MINS. ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED INFO BY THE ACFT MANUFACTURER, AT 75% POWER AT 1000 FT, FUEL CONSUMPTION IS 10 GPH. THE PLT STATED HE THOUGHT HE HAD 22 GALS OF FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS BY FAA PERSONNEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO USABLE FUEL.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN AN OPEN FIELD. ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSEWHEEL STRUCK A DITCH CAUSING IT TO FOLD AND THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP RESTING ON IT'S NOSE. THE PLT HAD DETERMINED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD PRIOR TO TAKEOFF BY STICKING A TWIG IN THE TANKS. THE FLT LASTED FOR 40 MINS. ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED INFO BY THE ACFT MANUFACTURER, AT 75% POWER AT 1000 FT, FUEL CONSUMPTION IS 10 GPH. THE PLT STATED HE THOUGHT HE HAD 22 GALS OF FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS BY FAA PERSONNEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO USABLE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:25 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5836P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam Rumpf
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1A5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:32
Weather SourceWFAC