Piper PA-28-180 N9011J accident, Jacksonville, FL, Jul 2, 1998 · NTSB ATL98LA088

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to manage his fuel properly leading to fuel starvation, a loss of engine power, and the collision with trees and the ground. A factor was his lack of total experience.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalApproach - vfr pattern - final approach

Fluid,fuel - starvationCause

Fuel management - improper use ofPilot in commandCause

Lack of total experiencePilot in commandFactor

Forced landingDescent - emergency

In flight collision with objectDescent - emergency

Object - tree(s)

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - emergency

Analysis

The pilot stated he had 1.5 to 2 hours of fuel available for the day. He flew to St. Augustine, had a private pilot checkride, and was returning to Jacksonville. He estimated the checkride took 45 minutes. According to the pilot, he was on final to runway 23 when the engine quit. He initiated emergency procedures by putting the mixture to rich and switching fuel tanks. The airplane struck the trees and the ground. The wreckage was examined, with no fuel found in the intact left fuel tank. There was fuel in the right tank. The pilot stated he had 96 hours of total flight time.

Factual narrative

On July 2, 1998, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9011J, lost power and collided with trees, approximately 0.5 miles northeast of Craig Municipal Airport, Jacksonville Florida. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed St. Augustine, Florida at 1450 for a personal flight.

The pilot stated he had 1.5 to 2 hours of fuel available for the day. He flew to St. Augustine, had a private pilot checkride, and was returning to Jacksonville. He estimated the checkride took 45 minutes. According to the pilot, he was on final to runway 23 when the engine quit. He initiated emergency procedures by putting the mixture to rich and switching fuel tanks. The airplane struck the trees and the ground. The pilot stated he had 96 hours of total flight time.

According to the FAA, the pilot was returning from his private pilot certification. When the airplane turned on final for runway 23, about 0.75 miles from the runway, the pilot reported a loss of power and declared an emergency. The aircraft collided with trees approximately 0.5 miles from runway 23. The FAA inspector stated the pilot depleted the usable fuel in the left wing and lost power. The pilot attempted to switch to the right fuel tank, but was unable to restart the engine. The FAA inspector also stated that at the scene of the accident, fuel was dripping from the right wing, and no fuel was found in the intact left fuel tank.

Aircraft

Registration: N9011J
Reported as: Piper PA-28-180
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 28-3037
Airframe hours: 2,996
Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Tim Taylor
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: Annual · March 17, 1998
Departed: SGJ · St Augustine, FL
Destination: CRG
Airport: CRG · Craig Municipal, runway 23, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

N9011JRegistration cancelled Dec 17, 1998 · Piper PA-28-180S/N 283037 Airframe modelPiper PA-28-180

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 35
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 96 total · 81 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 17
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Observed at: CRG, 1 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.

Accident 19980702015549APiper PA28180 · Jacksonville, FL(.4)On July 2, 1998, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9011J, lost power and collided with trees, approximately 0.5 miles northeast of Craig Municipal Airport, Jacksonville Florida. The airplane was operated under the provisions of title…Jul 2, 1998 · N9011J · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N9011J · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB ATL86LA211Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSandusky, OHThe pilot reported that he diverted and landed to reassess the weather before continuing his flight. He said the wind was from the southwest at eight KTS. Just before touchdown on runway 27, the aircraft yawed left and landed while in a crab. The airplane…Jul 25, 1986 · Substantial damage