# NTSB ATL82DA166: Piper 22-160, N9843D, Lynchburg, VA, June 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1982, 22:00 local (Jun 16, 1982, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Location: 37.3254° N, 79.2012° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LYNCHBURG RGNL/PRESTON GLENN FLD (LYH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3254&lon=-79.2012&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA166

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM NEWPORT NEWS, VA ON A VFR FLIGHT TO SOUTH BOSTON, VA. LATER AT DUSK, HE CONTACTED THE ROANOKE FSS AND ASKED FOR AN "ACCURATE FIX" OF HIS POSITION.AT THAT TIME, THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. FSS PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THE PLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A TRANSPONDER AND WAS BELOW THE ACQUISITION ALTITUDE FOR RADAR IDENTIFICATION. THEREFORE, THE PILOT WAS REQUESTED TO TUNE THE VOR FOR RADIAL CROSS CHECKS. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE WAS PROVIDED VECTORS TO THE AIRPORT AT LYNCHBURG, VA. DURING ARRIVAL, THE PILOT GAVE WAY TO ANOTHER AIRCRAFT THAT WAS NOT IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE FSS. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PLANE WAS LANDED ABOUT 100 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS BEFORE DEPARTING NEWPORT NEWS. ALSO, HE VERIFIED THAT HE WAS TRACKING INBOUND TO SOUTH BOSTON WHEN HE CONTACTED THE FSS IN FLIGHT, AND THAT HE WAS NOT LOST.

## 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 - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9843D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9843D), registered now, S/N 22-6734, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6734
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Rutherford
- Registered owner: James Rutherford
- Departed: NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Destination: SOUTH BOSTON, VA
- Airport: LYH, Lynchburg Municipal, runway 21, 5,799 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 382 total, 72 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH

## 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 19820615056709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820615056709A), Jun 15, 1982: Piper PA22, Lynchburg, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on final approach for landing due to 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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