# NTSB ATL87LA126: Piper PA-24-250, N7136P, Pinehurst, NC, April 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1987, 20:30 local (Apr 27, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Pinehurst, NC
- Coordinates: 35.180915, -79.460342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1809&lon=-79.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT CALLED APPROACH CONTROL AND REPORTED HE WAS OUT OF FUEL AND DIDN'T THINK HE WAS GOING TO MAKE THE AIRPORT. HE HAD LANDED AT AN AIRPORT ENROUTE BUT HAD NOT REFUELED. HE STATED THAT HE STARTED DESCENDING WHEN HE GOT WITHIN TEN MILES OF THE AIRPORT. HE CRASHED AND WAS FOUND LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7136P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7136P-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 24-2301, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 242301
- Airframe hours: 6317
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Strickland
- Registered owner: Sea Transport Shipping Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1986, 14 hours before
- Departed: OMN, ORMAND BEACH, FL
- Destination: SOP, SOUTHERN PINES, NC
- Airport: Moore County, runway 5, 5,500 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 827 total, 35 in this make and model, 801 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAY, 30 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 19870426011519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870426011519A), Apr 26, 1987: Piper PA24250, Pinehurst, NC, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on approach to emergency airport. Crashed into trees. Lost fuel from leaky fuel caps. No check out.

## Other investigations on N7136P (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 DEN75DTE37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75DTE37), Dec 9, 1974: Piper PA-24 (N7136P), Limon, CO, substantial damage

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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