# NTSB ATL88LA047: Piper PA-28-181, N8121T, Northport, AL, November 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1987, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Northport, AL
- Coordinates: 33.239707, -87.590423 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2397&lon=-87.5904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misread, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERG LANDING ON AN EMBANKMENT ABOUT 1.5 MI SHORT OF RWY 29. ONLY ABOUT 1 CUP OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN EACH FUEL TANK. THE PLT THOUGHT THERE WAS ABOUT 12 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING BEFORE THE ENG LOST POWER. HOWEVER, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER NOTED THAT THE LEFT & RGT TANK GAUGES WERE INDICATING 'EMPTY' & THE CENTER GAUGE WAS INDICATING WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS 10 TO 12 GAL OF FUEL. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH ONLY 2 FUEL TANKS & HAD NO 3RD AUX TANK. THE CENTER GAUGE WAS A FUEL SYS PRESSURE GAUGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8121T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8121T-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 28-8090143 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288090143
- Airframe hours: 925
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gregory F. Janeczko
- Registered owner: Janeczko/ Gregory F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1987, 96 hours before
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TCL, Tuscaloosa Muni, runway 29, 4,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 309 total, 280 in this make and model, 245 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 2 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 19871129068719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871129068719A), Nov 29, 1987: Piper PA28181, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach to airport due to fuel exhaustion. Hit a dirt embankment on a hillside on 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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