# NTSB ATL90LA167: WSK PZL-104, N7169Z, Smithfield, NC, September 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1990, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Smithfield, NC
- Coordinates: 35.499359, -78.340682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4994&lon=-78.3407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8270
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8270/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA167

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT FUEL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADDITIONAL LANDING. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER SEVERAL LANDINGS, THE PILOT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT WITH ADDITIONAL LANDINGS. HOWEVER, BEFORE THE TAKEOFF, THEY REALIZED THAT FUEL WAS CRITICAL, SO THEY ELECTED TO FLY A TIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE ENGINE QUIT ON DOWNWIND. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING TO THE RUNWAY, BUT COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT FAILED TO PLAN FUEL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS SERIES OF LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7169Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7169Z-1993-09-08), registration cancelled 1993-09-08, S/N CF20900890 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WSK PZL-104
- Registry model: [Wsk-Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 WILGA 80](https://openairdocs.org/model/wsk-pzl-warzawa-okecie-pzl-104-wilga-80) (registry code 9810280) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CF 20900890
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: PZL-OKECIE AII4RA 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Melex USA Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1990, 11 hours before
- Airport: JNX, Johnson County, runway 21, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,292 total, 70 in this make and model, 2,150 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 35 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 19900906038649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900906038649A), Sep 6, 1990: Wsk PZL104, Smithfield, NC, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel in traffic pattern but still undershot runway into trees on forced landing. Demo to sell aircraft.

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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