# NTSB ATL86LA103: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8140Y, Fort Rucker, AL, March 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1986, 20:27 local (Mar 31, 1986, 02:27 UTC)
- Place: Fort Rucker, AL
- Coordinates: 31.339332, -85.710624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3393&lon=-85.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - starvation
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE X-C FLT DEPARTED KILLEEN, TX, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT ALEXANDRIA, LA. A PASSENGER WAS DISEMBARKED AT CAIRNS AAF AND DURING DEPARTURE FOR DOTHAN, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES NEAR THE AIRPORT. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ONE PILOT STATED THAT FUEL GAUGES INDICATED 3 GAL IN LEFT AND 8 GAL IN RIGHT. LESS THAN 1 GAL WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK. THE TACHOMETER INDICATED TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 5.01 HOURS. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND RAN PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8140Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8140Y-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 28R-8231033, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8231033
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: The Plane Thing, Inc.
- Registered owner: Robert C. Bess
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OZR, FORT RUCKER, AL
- Destination: DHN, DOTHAN, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OZR, Cairns Aaf, runway 6, 4,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; military, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,883 total, 133 in this make and model, 3,210 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OZR, 1 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 19860330008489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860330008489A), Mar 30, 1986: Piper PA28RT201T, Fort Rucker, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power after takeoff. Gear extended automatically during turn and aircraft struck tall trees. 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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