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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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January 5, 1982 · Piper PA-24-250 · N5304P

Lonoke, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 5, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lonoke, AR
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N5304P
Operator
Donald L Hicks
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW82DA037

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AT 2000 FT AS HE WAS DESCENDING FOR AN APPROACH. HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO THE LEFT TANK, TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP, AND PUMPED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A SOD AREA NEXT TO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY WHILE THE LEFT CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 15 GALS OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED HE OBSERVED FUEL RUNNING OUT OF THE RIGHT TANK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE FAA INSPECTORS COULD FIND NO FUEL STAINS ON THE AIRCRAFT OR ROADWAY AND NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK. THE ENGINE WAS RUN DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AT 2000 FT AS HE WAS DESCENDING FOR AN APPROACH. HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO THE LEFT TANK, TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP, AND PUMPED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A SOD AREA NEXT TO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY WHILE THE LEFT CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 15 GALS OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED HE OBSERVED FUEL RUNNING OUT OF THE RIGHT TANK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE FAA INSPECTORS COULD FIND NO FUEL STAINS ON THE AIRCRAFT OR ROADWAY AND NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK. THE ENGINE WAS RUN DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:49 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN5304P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDonald L Hicks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1AS · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 10 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:50

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Appendix: Source Data