# NTSB ATL85LA044: Piper PA-28-140, N4343F, Nicholasville, KY, November 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1984, 19:45 local (Nov 26, 1984, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Nicholasville, KY
- Coordinates: 37.870952, -84.579338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8710&lon=-84.5793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA044

## 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
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER FUEL EXHAUSTION WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE FLT WAS 4 HOURS 10 MINUTES LONG. THE ACFT FUEL CAPACITY IS LISTED AS 38 GALS USABLE. THE ACFT IS CERTIFIED FOR FOUR SEATS AND HAD FIVE PERSONS ABOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4343F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4343F-2009-02-05), registration cancelled 2009-02-05, S/N 28-7725009, built 1976 (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: 28-7715047
- Airframe hours: 2892
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter C. Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1984
- Departed: ILM, WILMINGTON, NC
- Destination: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LEX, 9 nm away

## Other investigations on N4343F (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX90LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA161), May 2, 1990: Piper PA28-140 (N4343F), Santa Rosa, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
