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NTSB Report
May 3, 1985 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5543
Bandon, OR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Bandon, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N5543
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA85LA101
THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE ACFT TO BANDON TO HAVE THE LANDING GEAR REPAIRED. THE FLT WAS MADE WITH THE GEAR SECURED IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE ACFT HAD LOCKING FUEL CAPS & THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE TAKING OFF; INSTEAD, HE RELIED OF THE FUEL GAGES. DURING FLT, THE PLT USED FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK THEN SWITCH TO THE RIGHT TANK WHICH INDICATED ABOUT 1/2 FULL. A SHORT TIME LATER, AS THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING JUST SHORT OF THE RWY.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE ACFT TO BANDON TO HAVE THE LANDING GEAR REPAIRED. THE FLT WAS MADE WITH THE GEAR SECURED IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE ACFT HAD LOCKING FUEL CAPS & THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE TAKING OFF; INSTEAD, HE RELIED OF THE FUEL GAGES. DURING FLT, THE PLT USED FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK THEN SWITCH TO THE RIGHT TANK WHICH INDICATED ABOUT 1/2 FULL. A SHORT TIME LATER, AS THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING JUST SHORT OF THE RWY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:36 PDT
Nearest AirportBandon State (1nm NNW)
Runway16
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5543
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO