# NTSB ATL98LA088: Piper PA-28-180, N9011J, Jacksonville, FL, July 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1998, 14:49 local (18:49 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.359273, -81.509452 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3593&lon=-81.5095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 4002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4002/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel management - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9011J-1998-12-17), registration cancelled 1998-12-17, S/N 283037 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3037 - Airframe hours: 2996 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980702015549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980702015549A), Jul 2, 1998: Piper PA28180, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. (.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… ## Other investigations on N9011J (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL86LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA211), Jul 25, 1986: Piper PA-28-180 (N9011J), Sandusky, OH, substantial damage 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.