# NTSB ATL82DA146: Piper PA-38, N9956T, Pell City, AL, May 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1982, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Pell City, AL
- Coordinates: 33.630187, -86.289825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6302&lon=-86.2898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA146

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING USED TO RETURN WITH ANOTHER PILOT AFTER THE OTHER PILOT HAD FERRIED HIS AIRCRAFT FROM BESSEMBER, AL TO KNOXVILLE,TN. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO RETURN, AND SINCE THE FBO WAS BUSY, HE ELECTED TO DEPART WITHOUT REFUELING. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUEL QUANTITY AND ELECTED TO DIVERT TO PELL CITY, AL. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING DURING THE DESCENT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A WHEAT FIELD ABOUT 1/3 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. REPORTEDLY, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9956T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0260
- Airframe hours: 1658
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Boostrum
- Registered owner: Anniston Executive Corporation
- Departed: KNOXVILLE, AL
- Destination: BESSEMER, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F

## 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 19820529020029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820529020029A), May 29, 1982: Piper PA38112, Pell City, AL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine failed from fuel exhaustion.

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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