# NTSB ATL90LA106: Piper PA-24, N7868P, Cartersville, GA, May 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1990, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Cartersville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.15995, -84.7994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1600&lon=-84.7994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE ENGINE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED & FLOWN 2.7 HOURS FROM PANAMA CITY FL TO NASHVILLE TN 11 DAYS PRIOR. THE PILOT SAID HE KEPT THE MIXTURE RICH UNTIL THE LAST HOUR OF THE FLIGHT. WITHOUT REFUELING HE LEFT NASHVILLE FOR THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT TO CHAMBLEE GA. ONE HOUR AFTER TAKE OFF BOTH TANKS WENT DRY AT THE SAME TIME, THE PILOT SAID. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO FUEL REMAINED IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7868P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7868P-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 24-3093, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3093
- Airframe hours: 3514
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis K. Jacobs
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1989
- Departed: JWN, NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,240 total, 739 in this make and model, 1,235 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900503013339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900503013339A), May 3, 1990: Piper PA24, Cartersville, GA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Allowed sideways drift landing in open field and wing clipped a tree causing crash landing

## Other investigations on N7868P (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 CHI67D0250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67D0250), Jul 19, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N7868P), Mcclure, OH, 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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