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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 13, 1982 · Piper PA-28 · N9697J

Cambridge, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 13, 1982
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Cambridge, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N9697J
Operator
David R Shea
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI82DA084

THE PILOT HAD EXPECTED THAT STRONG HEADWINDS WOULD DECREASE DURING FLIGHT; HOWEVER, THEY CONTINUED. THE PILOT MADE AN ENROUTE STOP FOR FUEL, BUT AFTER LANDING, HE FOUND THAT THE AIRPORT WAS DESERTED. HE STATED THAT HE RECALCULATED THE ELAPSED TIME, ETC, AND PICKED THE NEXT AVAILABLE AIRPORT. HE BELIEVED SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS ON BOARD. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT SWITCHED TANKS, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND STILL BELIEVED HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL. THE ENGINE AGAIN LOST POWER ABOUT 4 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION. THE PILOT PICKED AN AREA TO LAND, BUT CRASHED INTO TREES BEFORE REACHING THE DESIRED AREA.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT HAD EXPECTED THAT STRONG HEADWINDS WOULD DECREASE DURING FLIGHT; HOWEVER, THEY CONTINUED. THE PILOT MADE AN ENROUTE STOP FOR FUEL, BUT AFTER LANDING, HE FOUND THAT THE AIRPORT WAS DESERTED. HE STATED THAT HE RECALCULATED THE ELAPSED TIME, ETC, AND PICKED THE NEXT AVAILABLE AIRPORT. HE BELIEVED SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS ON BOARD. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT SWITCHED TANKS, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND STILL BELIEVED HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL. THE ENGINE AGAIN LOST POWER ABOUT 4 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION. THE PILOT PICKED AN AREA TO LAND, BUT CRASHED INTO TREES BEFORE REACHING THE DESIRED AREA.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN9697J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid R Shea
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 30 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg

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Appendix: Source Data