# NTSB ATL83LA173: Piper PA-28-140C, N5286S, Lynchburg, VA, April 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1983, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA
- Location: 37.3388° N, 79.1944° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LYNCHBURG RGNL/PRESTON GLENN FLD (LYH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3388&lon=-79.1944&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA173

## 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)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT ON THE MORNING OF 4/30/83, THE FLT ORIGINATED AT BLACKSBURG, VA. NEITHER THE TIME EN ROUTE NOR THE ARRIVAL TIME AT GAITHERSBURG, MD WAS REPORTED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE DEPARTED FROM GAITHERSBURG AT 1050 EDT. THE FLT WAS NORMAL UNTIL SHORTLY AFTER PASSING LEXINGTON, VA, WHEN HE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. HE DIVERTED TOWARD LYNCHBURG, VA, BUT THE REMAINING FUEL WAS VIRTUALLY EXHAUSTED BEFORE ARRIVAL. AFTER THE ENG QUIT, THE PLT DID NOT MOVE THE POSITION OF THE THROTTLE OR MIXTURE CONTROL. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY, THE ACFT STRUCK SEVERAL OBJECTS. THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER IMPACT, THE ENG STARTED RUNNING & ACCELERATED THE ACFT ACROSS THE ROAD, THRU A FENCE & INTO A RESIDENTIAL YARD. DURING THE OCCURRENCE, THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED BY A ROAD SIGN & A TREE, THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED & SEVERAL MAIL BOXES & A VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE RGT FUEL GAUGE WAS INACCURATE & THE ENG QUIT AFTER APRX 4 HRS. AT 75% POWER ACFT WOULD USE 33.4 GAL. USABLE FUEL, 36 GAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5286S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5286S-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 28-26914, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26914
- Airframe hours: 4763
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hokie, Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1983, 37 hours before
- Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Destination: VPI, BLACKSBURG, VA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: LYH, Lynchburg Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 302 total, 20 in this make and model, 131 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 37 nm away

## 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 19830430016829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830430016829A), Apr 30, 1983: Piper PA28140, Lynchburg, VA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit 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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