# NTSB ATL94LA074: Piper PA-28-180, N4298Y, Winston-Salem, NC, April 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1994, 18:47 local (23:47 UTC)
- Place: Winston-Salem, NC
- Coordinates: 36.160476, -80.229637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1605&lon=-80.2296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA074

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to place the aircraft fuel selector to the tank with fuel remaining.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING, AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A BUILDING. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SELECTED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK HAD ONE PINT OF FUEL REMAINING, AND THE LEFT TANK HAD TEN GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. A TEST RUN OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE AIRCRAFT FUEL GAUGES OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Factual narrative

On April 2, 1994, about 1847 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4298Y was substantially damaged following a forced landing near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Walnut Grove, North Carolina about 1647.

The pilot reported that the engine began to run roughly, and he elected to attempt an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft struck a building prior to coming to rest in the field.

Examination of the aircraft revealed that the right fuel tank had one pint of fuel remaining in the tank. The left fuel tank had approximately 10 gallons of fuel remaining. The aircraft fuel tank selector was selected to the right fuel tank. The aircraft fuel line to the carburetor was dry, and the carburetor bowl was empty. The aircraft fuel pump was checked and was working properly. The aircraft fuel gages were checked, and were working properly.

A test run of the aircraft engine showed the engine to start easily, and operate normally at various speeds.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4298Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4298Y-1994-08-12), registration cancelled 1994-08-12, S/N 288390048 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8390048
- Airframe hours: 5865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Collier, Stephen C.
- Registered owner: Piedmont Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1994, 47 hours before
- Departed: NC28, WALNUT GROVE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 98 total, 3 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 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 19940402007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940402007439A), Apr 2, 1994: Piper PA28180, Winston Salem, NC, Substantial damage. Lost power. Struck building on forced landing. Fuel selector on empty tank. Ten gallons fuel in other tank.

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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