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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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NTSB Report

October 8, 2010 · Piper PA28 140 · N57302

Louisville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 2010
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Location
Louisville, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA28 140
Tail Number
N57302
Operator
Benjamin L Price
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA013

The pilot stated that he estimated the airplane's fuel supply during his preflight planning by calculating the fuel consumed during the two previous flights. The pilot departed for his destination and planned to land with 45 minutes of fuel reserve. During the flight, the airplane encountered wind stronger than forecast and the airplane consumed more fuel than he had estimated. On descent for landing, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot attempted to glide to the runway. As the airplane's airspeed and altitude decreased, the pilot opted to land on the freeway below. The airplane touched down in the middle lanes, skidded along the pavement, and came to rest in a ditch. During the accident sequence the airplane incurred damage to the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both tanks were absent of fuel and that there was no evidence of a preimpact mechanical anomaly.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, during his preflight planning, he estimated the fuel to be at 40 gallons by calculating fuel burn from two previous flights. The pilot departed for destination planning to land with 45 minutes of fuel reserve. The pilot stated that the airplane encountered winds stronger than forecast en-route and the airplane consumed more fuel than estimated. On descent for landing, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to glide to the runway; however, he decided to land on a freeway when "airspeed and maintenance on the glide slope slipped away." The airplane landed in the middle lanes of the freeway, skidded on the pavement and came to rest in a ditch resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that both tanks were absent of fuel and that no pre-impact mechanical anomalies existed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:11 CDT
Nearest AirportBowman Field Airport (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 140
Tail NumberN57302
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBenjamin L Price
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 20 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time02:53
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data