# NTSB ATL82DA160: Piper PA-38-112, N2368D, Oxford, MS, June 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1982, 13:47 local (18:47 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, MS
- Location: 34.3513° N, 89.5370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oxford, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 43.940963, -116.799514 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3513&lon=-89.5370&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA160

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD MADE TWO STOPS WITHOUT REFUELING BEFORE HE TOOK OFF ON THIS LEG OF HIS FLIGHT. HE ESTIMATED THAT 12 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS REMAINING WHEN HE DEPARTED DECATUR, AL. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE EXHAUSTED ALL OF THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK. AS HE APPROACHED THE DESTINATION, HE NOTED AN INDICATION OF LESS THAN TWO GALLONS IN THE LEFT TANK. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A GRASS FIELD WHILE HE STILL HAD ENGINE POWER, RATHER THAN RISK TOTAL FUEL EXHAUSTION WHILE CONTINUING. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS FAST AND OVERSHOT HIS FIRST INTENDED LANDING FIELD. HE ADDED POWER, BUT HIT A FENCE AT THE END OF THE FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED A ROAD, HIT A SECOND FENCE, AND FINALLY CAME TO REST IN A SHALLOW CREEK. ACCORDING TO THE HOBBS METER READINGS, THE PLANE HAD FLOWN 4.6 HOURS, ABOUT THE MAXIMUM ENDURANCE EXPECTED FOR HIS CRUISE ALTITUDES AND POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2368D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2368D-1982-10-04), registration cancelled 1982-10-04, S/N 38-79A0285, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0285
- Airframe hours: 1158
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Muscle Shoals Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Muscle Shoals Aviation, Inc
- Departed: DCU, DECATUR, AL
- Destination: UOX, OXFORD, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 331 total, 73 in this make and model, 258 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 194 °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 19820608020829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820608020829A), Jun 8, 1982: Piper PA38112, Oxford, MS, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel enroute. Overshot field of intended landing, went through two fences and stopped in a creek.

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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