# NTSB ATL89FA090: Piper PA-28R-200, N1139X, Tipp City, OH, February 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1989, 00:24 local (05:24 UTC)
- Place: Tipp City, OH
- Coordinates: 39.960502, -84.18058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9605&lon=-84.1806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA090

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOTS LACK OF EQUIPMENT AND ABILITY TO HANDLE THE WEATHER SITUATION WAS IGNORED BY THE PILOT IN HIS PLANNING FOR THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,localizer receiver - unreliable
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,glide slope receiver - unreliable
  - maintenance,inspection - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

PIC HAD NOT FLOWN FOR 10 YRS. BOUGHT ACFT & FLEW ON FAMILY VACATION FOR TWO DAYS & HEADED HOME. AT REFUEL STOP CHECKED WX & NOTED LOW CEILINGS AT DESTINATION. PIC FLEW TO DESTINATION TERMINAL AREA, OBTAINED WX FROM ATC & REQUESTED VOR APPROACH. ACFT NOT EQUIPPED FOR APPROACH. ACFT ALSO NOT IFR CERTIFIED & NAV INSTRUMENTS WERE NOT CHECKED FOR CORRECT OPERATION. PIC FLEW IN IMC ABOUT TWO HOURS, EXECUTING SEVEN UNSUCCESSFUL APPROACHES; VOR, LOC, AND ILS. FUEL WAS EVENTUALLY EXHAUSTED & ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1139X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1139X-1992-05-18), registration cancelled 1992-05-18, S/N 28R7535257 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535251
- Airframe hours: 2398
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Theodore H. Wood, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1988, 27 hours before
- Departed: 2G9, SOMERSET, PA
- Destination: I67, HARRISON, OH
- Airport: DAY, Cox-Dayton International, runway 24, 9,500 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 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 19890221002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890221002329A), Feb 21, 1989: Piper PA28R200, Dayton, OH, Destroyed. Unable to complete IFR approach attempts. Ran out of fuel. Struck tree.

## Other investigations on N1139X (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 OAK77DVD50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVD50), Aug 6, 1977: Piper PA-28R (N1139X), Novato, CA, 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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