# NTSB ATL04CA149: Piper PA-28-161, N6AU, Tallassee, AL, July 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2004, 02:00 local (07:00 UTC) - Place: Tallassee, AL - Coordinates: 32.516666, -85.883331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5167&lon=-85.8833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59761/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power. A factor was pilot fatigue and the unauthorized use of the airplane . ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot stated that he performed a preflight on the airplane and that he observed the fuel tanks to be "half full". The pilot then took off from Wetumpka Municipal Airport and went to Autauga County Airport in Prattville, Alabama where he performed three touch and go landings and flew around the local area. The pilot went back to Wetumpka and performed four touch and go landings. From there, the pilot decided that he would fly to Auburn, Alabama. While en route, the pilot stated that he "fell asleep and ran the left fuel tank empty." His next memory was the impact with the ground in a cotton field. Examination of the airplane revealed the wreckage path was approximately 50 feet long on a heading of 210 degrees. All three landing gears were separated from the airplane and both propeller blades were bent aft with no rotational twisting of the blades. The engine mount was broken, the throttle control was found closed, the mixture was found full rich and the fuel selector was found on the left tank. No fuel was found in the left fuel tank, however 10 to 15 gallons of fuel were found in the right fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2004 at 0200 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N6AU, registered to and operated by CMC Aviation Services Co., collided with the ground in Tallassee, Alabama. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated at Wetumpka Municipal Airport, Wetumpka, Alabama, on July 9, 2004 at 2330. The operator had not authorized the personal flight. The pilot stated that he had decided to take a pleasure flight in the local area. The pilot said that he performed a preflight on the airplane and that he observed the fuel tanks to be "half full". The pilot then took off from Wetumpka Municipal Airport and went to Autauga County Airport in Prattville, Alabama where he performed three touch and go landings and flew around the local area. The pilot flew back to Wetumpka and performed four touch and go landings and again flew around the local area. From there, the pilot decided that he would fly to Auburn, Alabama. While enroute, the pilot stated that he "fell asleep and ran the left fuel tank empty." His next memory was the impact with the ground in a cotton field. Examination of the airplane revealed the wreckage path was approximately 50 feet long on a heading of 210 degrees. All three landing gears were separated from the airplane and both propeller blades were bent aft with no rotational twisting of the blades. The engine mount was broken, the throttle control was found closed, the mixture was found full rich and the fuel selector was found on the left tank. No fuel was found in the left fuel tank, however 10 to 15 gallons of fuel were found in the right fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6AU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6AU-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 28-7816212, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7816212 - Airframe hours: 3656.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-036 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jules Moffet, doing business as CMC Aviation Services Co - Registered owner: Jules M Moffett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2004, 8.8 hours before - Departed: 08A, Wetumpka, AL - Destination: Auburn, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 19, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 40 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: AUO, 19 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040710012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040710012939A), Jul 10, 2004: Piper PA28161, Tallassee, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) While on a night pleasure flight pilot failed to manage aircraft fuel supply allowing fuel starvation to the engine. Left tank found totally empty, right… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.