# NTSB ATL86LA072: Piper PA-28-181, N39663, Charleston, SC, February 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1986, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Coordinates: 32.780185, -79.93013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7802&lon=-79.9301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA072

## 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 - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD 2.5 MILES EAST OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39663](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39663-2013-06-10), registration cancelled 2013-06-10, S/N 28-7990002, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990002
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clementon Aviation Of Deleware
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 26N, OCEAN CITY, NJ
- Destination: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CHS, Charleston Inter.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 404 total, 16 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 3 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 19860209002489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860209002489A), Feb 9, 1986: Piper PA28181, Charleston, SC, Substantial damage. Landed on a road after fuel exhaustion. Pilot based fuel consumption on a chart on airplanes sun visor.

## Other investigations on N39663 (2)

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 DEN99FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA009), Oct 10, 1998: Piper PA-28-181 (N39663), Montrose, CO, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision. Factors were a reduction in the airplane's climb and turn capabilities, the aft c.g. limit being exceeded, and the pilot's lack of familiarity with…
- [NTSB FTW93LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA155), May 14, 1993: Piper PA-28-181 (N39663), Dougherty, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL EXHAUSTION POWER LOSS DUE TO REFUELING NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN

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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