# NTSB ATL82FLG15: Piper PA-28-140, N95451, Near Lockhart, SC, September 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1982
- Place: Near Lockhart, SC
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLG15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLG15

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN FROM CHARLOTTE, NC TO DAYTONA BEACH, FL, TO SANFORD, FL WITHOUT EN ROUTE REFUELING. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY PLANNED TO GET FUEL AT SANFORD, BUT AFTER LANDING THERE, HE THOUGHT THERE SUFFICIENT FUEL TO RETURN TO CHARLOTTE. HOWEVER, AS HE CONTINUED, HE BECAME AWARE OF FOG AND DIVERTED TO JESUP, GA. THE AIRPORT FACILITIES AT JESUP WERE CLOSED AND NO FUEL WAS OBTAINED. THE PILOT PERIODICALLY CHECKED THE WEATHER WHILE WAITING SEVERAL HOURS. AFTER CONTINUING, HE CONTACTED CHARLOTTE APPROACH CONTROL, ADVISED THAT HE WAS ON TOP AT 1800 FT, AND REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO CHARLOTTE. AT THAT TIME, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT CHARLOTTE WAS IFR. HE THEN DIVERTED TOWARD SPARTANBURG, SC, BUT EN ROUTE, RAN OUT OF FUEL. WHILE LANDING IN A WOODED AREA, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95451](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95451-1983-03-12), registration cancelled 1983-03-12, S/N 28-25964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-259E4
- Airframe hours: 185
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elbert Benton
- Registered owner: Elbert Benton
- Departed: JESUP, GA
- Destination: CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19820927051259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820927051259A), Sep 27, 1982: Piper PA28140, Lockhart, SC, Destroyed. Engine quit after unscheduled landing. Deviations due to ground fog. Pilot reported out of fuel. Water in carburetor.

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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