# NTSB ATL83LA115: Piper PA-28-180, N9264J, Pulaski, VA, February 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1983, 19:15 local (Feb 22, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Pulaski, VA
- Coordinates: 37.050891, -80.760475 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0509&lon=-80.7605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA115

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER FUEL EXHAUSTION ON THE FINAL LEG OF A CROSS-COUNTRY. THE PILOT MADE 5 ENROUTE STOPS AND NO REFUELING WAS PERFORMED AT ANY POINT DURING THOSE STOPS. DEPARTING THE LAST STOP THE PILOT ESTIMATED 45 MINUTES OF FUEL REMAINED. THE ENGINE STOPPED AT AN ALTITUDE OF 4500 FEET ABOUT 9 MILES FROM DESTINATION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE OWNER FOUND 6 OUNCES OF FUEL IN ONE TANK AND NONE IN THE OTHER TANK. THE CARBURETOR BOWL HAD ONE AND ONE-HALF OUNCES OF FUEL IN IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9264J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9264J-1990-05-29), registration cancelled 1990-05-29, S/N 285119 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2762
- Airframe hours: 2761
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Virginia Caroline Air Co., Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 15, 1983, 8 hours before
- Departed: BCB, BLACKSBURG, VA
- Destination: HCX, HILLSVILLE, VA
- Airport: HLX, Twin, runway 35, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 944 total, 100 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 7 °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 19830221006449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830221006449A), Feb 21, 1983: Piper PA28180, Pulaski, VA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on last leg of a round robin flight. Struck trees during the forced landing.

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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