# NTSB ATL82DA067: Piper PA-28-181, N75029, Murfreesboro, TN, March 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1982, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Murfreesboro, TN
- Location: 35.8456° N, 86.3903° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Murfreesboro, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8456&lon=-86.3903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA067

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ESTIMATED HIS FUEL CONSUMPTION TO BE 10 GAL/HR. THE ACTUAL CONSUMPTION WAS ABOUT 12 GAL/HR. APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION, HE DECIDED TO MAKE AN ENROUTE STOP FOR FUEL. WHILE TURNING TO FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE ENGINE QUIT. FROM THAT POINT, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N75029 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-769082
- Airframe hours: 1938
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flyers Of Nashville
- Registered owner: Flyers Of Nashville
- Departed: JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: Murfreesboro Municipal, runway 18, 3,700 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 780 total, 160 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820308002649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820308002649A), Mar 8, 1982: Piper PA28181, Murfreesboro, TN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on final for a unscheduled fuel stop. Struck trees 300 ft short of runway. Lacked IFR fuel reserve.

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.

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