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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 1, 2004 · Piper PA-28-181 · N3575X

Lee'S Summit, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 1, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lee'S Summit, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N3575X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI05CA039

The airplane impacted a muddy field during a forced landing due to a total loss of engine power about 1 1/2 hours after departure. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane in a hanger equipped with fluorescent lighting. He stated that he checked the fuel gauges, visually checked the fuel level in each tank, and that the fuel level in each fuel tank was "just under the tabs." Postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the left fuel tank and no usable fuel was noted in either fuel tank.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the muddy terrain and the vegetation.

Full Narrative

On December 1, 2004, at 1200 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N3575X, operated by Wing Flying Club Inc. as a rental airplane, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing near Lee's Summit Municipal Airport (LXT), Lee's Summit, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from LXT at 1030. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane in a hanger equipped with fluorescent lighting. During the inspection, he checked the fuel gauges and visually checked the fuel level in each tank and stated that the fuel level in each fuel tank was "just under the tabs." The pilot stated that the runup was normal and after departing from LXT, he flew to a point 5 miles west of Butler Memorial Airport (BUM), Butler, Missouri, and then entered the traffic pattern there to perform a touch and go. After the touch and go, he climbed and headed to the east. A few minutes later the engine sputtered "just a little." He applied carburetor heat, and the engine "smoothed out." He returned to and landed at BUM where he performed a runup. He then shut the engine down and checked the fuel sumps again. He restarted the engine and performed another runup and then flew to Lawrence Smith Memorial Airport (LRY), Harrisonville, Missouri, where he performed a touch and go. He then departed and was en route to LXT when the engine began to run "rough" about 5 miles from LXT. He then performed a forced landing on a muddy field where the airplane's left wing contacted weed resulting in the airplane skidding sideways in the mud. Inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the left fuel tank and no usable fuel was noted in that tank. Inspection of the right fuel tank did not note usable fuel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN3575X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data