# NTSB ATL84LA073: Piper PA-28-140, N56494, Oak Mountain, AL, December 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1983, 17:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Oak Mountain, AL
- Coordinates: 33.299858, -86.790824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2999&lon=-86.7908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - navigation receiver - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ARRIVED AT A CHECK POINT 18 MIN BEHIND SCHEDULE. APRX 25 MIN LATER, HE TUNED IN AN INCORRECT VOR FREQUENCY THAT HE HAD WRITTEN DOWN ON HIS FLT PLAN. THE STATION THAT HE TUNED IN WAS EAST OF THE DESIRED STATION & THE GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THE AREA WERE SIMILAR. WHEN THE PLT REALIZED HE WAS OFF COURSE, HIS REMAINING FUEL SUPPLY WAS LOW. HE TRIED TO FLY TO THE NEAREST ARPT, BUT FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED FIRST. HE THEN MADE AN EMERGENCY, NIGHT APCH TO A HIGHWAY, BUT WAS FROCED TO LAND ON THE SHOULDER DUE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, THE NOSEWHEEL SANK INTO MUD & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56494](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56494-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 28-73-25640, built 1973 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325640
- Airframe hours: 2191
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard B. Barnes Mike Ensmingr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1983
- Departed: ISM, KISSIMMEE, FL
- Destination: 21A, ALABASTER, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 151 total, 65 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831223063529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831223063529A), Dec 23, 1983: Piper PA28140, Oak Mountain St, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot got off course on cross country, exhausted fuel, and crash occurred during emergency 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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