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NTSB Report

October 18, 2002 · Piper PA-28-180 · N33170

Salt Lake City, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N33170
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA009

The pilot estimated there was 32 to 33 gallons of fuel on board (the fuel level was just below the tabs in the tank, which indicate approximately 17 gallons in each tank) when he took off. Approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes later, the engine began "running rough." The pilot declared an emergency and was cleared to land at the international airport. The engine then lost all power and the propeller began windmilling. At best glide speed, the pilot was unable to glide to the airport and made a forced landing on a cloverleaf of an interstate highway. During the landing the airplane struck a corrugated metal drainage culvert, collapsing the nose and right main landing gear. The salvage company that retrieved the airplane drained slightly more than 1 quart of fuel from both fuel tanks and the fuel strainer. No fuel stains were noted on the wings or underneath of the fuselage.

NTSB Probable Cause

fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to continue the flight without stopping for fuel.

Full Narrative

On October 18, 2002, at 1655 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N33170, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a highway cloverleaf approximately 1/2-mile short of runway 35 at the Salt Lake City, Utah, International Airport. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Mesquite, Nevada, approximately 1335 Pacific daylight time, and was en route to Bountiful, Utah. The following is based on a telephone conversation with, and the accident report submitted by, the pilot. After servicing the airplane with fuel, he estimated there was 32 to 33 gallons of fuel on board because the fuel level was just below the tabs in the tank, which indicate approximately 17 gallons in each tank. The en route portion of the flight into the Salt Lake City area, at 9,500 feet msl (mean sea level), was uneventful. Approximately 1650, after descending to 6,000 feet msl and obtaining clearance to transit Class B airspace (TCA, or Terminal Control Area), the engine began "running rough." The airplane was then approximately 5 miles southeast of the Salt Lake City International Airport. After efforts to restore full power failed, the pilot declared an emergency and was cleared to land on runway 35 at Salt Lake City International Airport. The engine then lost all power and the propeller began windmilling. After establishing the best glide speed of 80 mph, the pilot was unable to glide to the airport, and he made a forced landing on a cloverleaf on Interstate Highway 80. During the landing the airplane struck a corrugated metal drainage culvert, collapsing the nose and right main landing gear. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector who responded to the scene, approximately 1/3-gallon of fuel was drained from the airplane's fuel system. The salvage company that retrieved the airplane reported draining slightly more than 1 quart of fuel from both fuel tanks and the fuel strainer. No fuel stains were noted on the wings or underneath the fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:55 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN33170
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · L-19869-36A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 30 C
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data