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NTSB Report
December 23, 1983 · Piper PA-28-140 · N56494
Oak Mountain, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 23, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oak Mountain, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N56494
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL84LA073
WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ARRIVED AT A CHECK POINT 18 MIN BEHIND SCHEDULE. APRX 25 MIN LATER, HE TUNED IN AN INCORRECT VOR FREQUENCY THAT HE HAD WRITTEN DOWN ON HIS FLT PLAN. THE STATION THAT HE TUNED IN WAS EAST OF THE DESIRED STATION & THE GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THE AREA WERE SIMILAR. WHEN THE PLT REALIZED HE WAS OFF COURSE, HIS REMAINING FUEL SUPPLY WAS LOW. HE TRIED TO FLY TO THE NEAREST ARPT, BUT FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED FIRST. HE THEN MADE AN EMERGENCY, NIGHT APCH TO A HIGHWAY, BUT WAS FROCED TO LAND ON THE SHOULDER DUE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, THE NOSEWHEEL SANK INTO MUD & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.
Full Narrative
WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ARRIVED AT A CHECK POINT 18 MIN BEHIND SCHEDULE. APRX 25 MIN LATER, HE TUNED IN AN INCORRECT VOR FREQUENCY THAT HE HAD WRITTEN DOWN ON HIS FLT PLAN. THE STATION THAT HE TUNED IN WAS EAST OF THE DESIRED STATION & THE GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THE AREA WERE SIMILAR. WHEN THE PLT REALIZED HE WAS OFF COURSE, HIS REMAINING FUEL SUPPLY WAS LOW. HE TRIED TO FLY TO THE NEAREST ARPT, BUT FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED FIRST. HE THEN MADE AN EMERGENCY, NIGHT APCH TO A HIGHWAY, BUT WAS FROCED TO LAND ON THE SHOULDER DUE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, THE NOSEWHEEL SANK INTO MUD & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:35 CST
Nearest Airport10nm SE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN56494
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 25 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO