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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 8, 2018 · Piper PA28 180 · N642RJ

Addison, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Addison, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA28 180 (1963)
Tail Number
N642RJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA264

The pilot reported that he departed with about 40 to 45 gallons of fuel for a calculated 3.9-tach-hour flight with a 10 gallon per hour fuel burn. He added that, en route, the engine sputtered, and he knew the right fuel tank was empty. He switched to the left fuel tank and continued to the destination airport. About 30 minutes from the destination airport, the engine sputtered and experienced a total loss of power. During the forced landing, the airplane landed in a parking lot and impacted a pole. The pilot reported that the airplane "ran out of gas." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he departed with about 40 to 45 gallons of fuel for a calculated 3.9 tach hour flight with a 10 gallon per hour fuel burn. He added that, en route, the engine sputtered and he knew the right fuel tank was empty. He switched to the left fuel tank and continued to the destination airport. About 30 minutes from the destination airport, the engine sputtered and experienced a total loss of power. During the forced landing, the airplane landed in a parking lot and impacted a pole. The pilot reported that the airplane "ran out of gas". The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:00 CDT
Nearest AirportADDISON (2nm NNE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 180
Tail NumberN642RJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 SER · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time03:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data