# NTSB ATL91LA029: Piper PA 28R-200, N5003T, Senoia, GA, December 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1990, 22:15 local (Dec 9, 1990, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Senoia, GA
- Coordinates: 33.309211, -84.550697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3092&lon=-84.5507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA029

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT OPERATION AND THE COLLISION WITH UTILITY LINES.

## 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
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS WITHIN VISUAL RANGE OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT FOR THE SECOND TIME. SINCE HE WAS SHORT OF THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN APPROACH TO A STATE HIGHWAY FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH UTILITY LINES AND CRASHED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE PILOT HAD NOT PLANNED A REFUELING STOP EN ROUTE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5003T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5003T-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 28R-7235170, built 1972 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7235170
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Field Aircraft Inc.
- Departed: FPR, FORT PIERCE, FL
- Destination: 2A9, PEACHTREE CITY, GA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 100 total, 17 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ATL, 15 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 19901208053369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901208053369A), Dec 8, 1990: Piper PA28R200, Senoia, GA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Struck wires trying to make night forced landing on a highway.

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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