# Accident 20240907015089A: Piper PA-28-180, Grand Island, NE, September 7, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 7, 2024, 15:50 local time
- Place: Grand Island, NE
- Airport: Central Nebraska Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.9250° N, 98.3420° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9250&lon=-98.3420&mi=10
- Aircraft: N704VP, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704VP-2026-08-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-180 (registry code 7102808, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 193 total, 75 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA345) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240907015089A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON PREFLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT WING FUEL TANKS WERE APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER FULL OF FUEL BY VISUALLY LOOKING IN THE FILL PORTS. THE PILOT SELECTED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK ON THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE DURING RUNUP AND DEPARTED TO REGAIN AIRCRAFT CURRENCY. AFTER THREE TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND LANDINGS, THE PILOT TAXIED TO THE RAMP TO LOAD BAGS AND TWO PASSENGERS. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED FOR AN AIRPORT 16.5 NM FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT TO RECEIVE FUEL AND ENGINE OIL SERVICES. AT APPROXIMATELY 10 NM FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT INITIAL CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE AIRPORT TOWER. SHORTLY AFTER INITIAL CONTACT THE PILOT REPORTED PARTIAL POWER LOSS, FOLLOWED BY NOTIFICATION OF LANDING IN A FIELD.

INITIAL IMPACT WAS IN A SOYBEAN FIELD LOCATED 5 NM, 045° FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE DEBRIS FIELD INDICATED A LOW ANGLE, LOW VELOCITY LANDING. THE DEBRIS PATH WAS ON A 271° HEADING AND EXTENDED 197’ BEFORE THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A REST WITH A HEADING OF 330°. ON SITE THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK HAD APPROXIMATELY 1” OF FUEL REMAINING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN24LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA345), Sep 7, 2024: Piper PA-28-180 (N704VP), Grand Island, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning/preparation that resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight, a total loss of engine power, and an impact with terrain during a forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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