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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 20, 2010 · Piper PA-28-140 · N333NA

Carthage, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Carthage, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N333NA
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10CA550

According to the pilot, he departed with about 47 gallons of fuel onboard for a 551-nautical mile cross-country flight. About 3 hours and 15 minutes into the flight, the pilot became concerned with the rate of fuel consumption. The pilot stated that he elected to change his destination to obtain fuel and shortly thereafter the left fuel tank was empty. The pilot then switched back to the right fuel tank and looked for a place to conduct an emergency landing. During the approach for a forced landing the engine changed from idle to full power for 10 to 15 seconds before experiencing a complete loss of power. The airplane’s nose dropped and impacted the roof of an unoccupied barn near vertically. During recovery of the airplane, no fuel was found on site or in the airplane’s fuel tanks.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he departed with about 47 gallons of fuel onboard for a 551-nautical mile cross-country flight. About 3-hours and 15-minutes into the flight, the pilot said he was concerned the way the right fuel tank gauge was moving down faster than he’d seen before. He added that, he told Air Traffic Control (ATC) that he needed to change his destination for fuel. Shortly thereafter, he stated that the left tank was out of fuel, so he switched back to the right fuel tank and looked for a place to conduct an emergency landing. During the approach for a forced landing, the engine changed from idle to full power for 10 to 15 seconds, before a complete loss of engine power. The airplane’s nose dropped sharply and the airplane impacted the roof of an unoccupied barn near vertically. During recovery of the airplane, no fuel was found on site or in the airplane’s fuel tanks.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN333NA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 12 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data