# NTSB ATL90LA050: Piper PA-28-140, N55862, Lithia Springs, GA, January 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1990, 23:31 local (Jan 11, 1990, 04:31 UTC)
- Place: Lithia Springs, GA
- Location: 33.7825° N, 84.6485° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lithia Springs, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7825&lon=-84.6485&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA050

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN NIGHT VFR CRUISE FLIGHT AT 3000 FEET AGL, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  HE ATTEMPTED A SUCCESSFUL ENGINE RESTART, BUT THE ENGINE QUIT AGAIN. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE. ON LANDING, THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND A TREE. THE PRIVATE PLT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR 5.5 HOURS. THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND NOT RUPTURED DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55862](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55862-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 28-7325507, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325507
- Airframe hours: 2304
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gem City Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 09A, BUTTER CHOCTAW, AL
- Destination: RVY, KENNESAW, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 38 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 28 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 19900110001669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900110001669A), Jan 10, 1990: Piper PA28140, Lithia Springs, GA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel at night en route. Struck fence and trees on forced 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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