# NTSB ATL98LA040: Piper PA-38-112, N2609K, Laurens, SC, January 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 1998, 13:07 local (18:07 UTC) - Place: Laurens, SC - Coordinates: 34.499366, -82.020835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4994&lon=-82.0208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3966/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation that resulted in initiating flight in marginal visual conditions, and 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, descent - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - flight into adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot reported that during his preflight weather briefing he was told the weather conditions would be marginally visual the entire route. En route, circumnavigation was required because of the weather conditions. He decided that a fuel stop would be necessary, however, the selected airports had IMC. According to the pilot, he elected to 'stretch' the flight to the destination when told weather was improving there. About five miles from the destination the engine quit. The pilot stated he spotted a field and prepared for an emergency landing. On final approach, he saw power lines and attempted to go over them. The aircraft stalled, veered to the right and came to rest in an apple orchard. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 1998, about 1307 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2609K, collided into an apple orchard four miles north of the Laurens County Airport in Laurens, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/ pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The private pilot and sole occupant sustained serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Lynchburg, Virginia about 0900 eastern standard time. According to the pilot, he could not land at his re-fueling stop due to instrument meteorological conditions at the intended airport. He stated he continued on to the Laurens County Airport where five miles from the airport, his engine quit. The pilot believes the airplane ran out of fuel. The pilot stated he spotted a field and prepared for an emergency landing. On final approach, he saw some power lines and attempted to go over them. The aircraft stalled and veered to the right. The airplane came to rest in an apple orchard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2609K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2609K-1999-04-14), registration cancelled 1999-04-14, S/N 38-79A0686 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-79A0686 - Airframe hours: 1394 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael L. Hopkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1997, 38 hours before - Departed: LYH, LYNCHBURG, VA - Destination: 34A, SC - Airport: 34C, Laurens County, runway 26, 3,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 320 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 15 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AND, 38 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 19980124000539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980124000539A), Jan 24, 1998: Piper PA38112, Laurens, SC, Substantial damage. Unable land at planned fuel stop. Selected another 34C but ran out of fuel prior. Pulled up avoid wires. Stalled. (-23) the pilot departed lyh at about 09:30… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.