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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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August 19, 1982 · Piper PA-32-260 · N3436W

Manhattan, KS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 6 uninjured
Location
Manhattan, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-260
Tail Number
N3436W
Operator
Elo Larsen
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC82DA147

THE PILOT DEPARTED MANHATTAN, KS AND FLEW TO MINNEAPOLIS, MN. AT MINNEAPOLIS, HE REFUELED WITH 10 GAL ADDED TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. HE SAID BOTH MAIN TANKS WERE FULL, THE RIGHT AUXILIARY TANK WAS EMPTY, AND HE ESTIMATED THERE WAS 5 GAL IN THE LEFT AUXILIARY TANK. ON HIS RETURN FLIGHT TO MANHATTAN, HE USED ALL OF THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND WAS FEEDING FROM THE LEFT TANK WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 4 MILES FROM MANHATTAN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. A LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT MAIN TANKS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT MAIN TANK POSITION.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT DEPARTED MANHATTAN, KS AND FLEW TO MINNEAPOLIS, MN. AT MINNEAPOLIS, HE REFUELED WITH 10 GAL ADDED TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. HE SAID BOTH MAIN TANKS WERE FULL, THE RIGHT AUXILIARY TANK WAS EMPTY, AND HE ESTIMATED THERE WAS 5 GAL IN THE LEFT AUXILIARY TANK. ON HIS RETURN FLIGHT TO MANHATTAN, HE USED ALL OF THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND WAS FEEDING FROM THE LEFT TANK WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 4 MILES FROM MANHATTAN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. A LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT MAIN TANKS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT MAIN TANK POSITION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:40 CDT
Nearest AirportManhattan Muni (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-260
Tail NumberN3436W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorElo Larsen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 6 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured6
Total7
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:56

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Appendix: Source Data