# NTSB BFO86LA045: Piper PA-28-181, N4350K, Fredericksburg, VA, September 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1986, 15:53 local (19:53 UTC)
- Place: Fredericksburg, VA
- Location: 38.2993° N, 77.4867° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fredericksburg, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2993&lon=-77.4867&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LA045

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DRG A FORCED LNDG FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT RPRTD THAT BOTH HE &THE PASSENGERS VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO VERIFY THAT THEY WERE FULL OF FUEL. THE PWR LOSS OCCURRED APRX 25 MI FROM THE DESTN. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENG WHICH OPERATED FOR 2 TO 3 MIN BEFORE QUITTING AGAIN. THE ACFT CLEARED PWR LINES DRG THE FORCED LNDG APCH; HOWEVER, IT TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON ROUGH GROUND & NOSED OVER WHILE ROLLING ON UPHILL TERRAIN. THE PLT RPRTD THE EN ROUTE FLT TIME WAS 1 HR & 35 MIN; HOWEVER, A POLICE RPRT INDICATED A TIME OF AT LEAST 3 HRS & 5 MIN. FUEL CONSUMPITON DRG A 2.5 HR FLT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY WAS APRX 11 GPH. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND AT THE ACDNT SITE. THE ACFT WAS CHECKED FOR FUEL LEAKS & NONE WERE FOUND. THE PLT STATED THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS WERE INACCURATE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE ACCURATE DRG A POST ACDNT EXAM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4350K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4350K-1991-03-12), registration cancelled 1991-03-12, S/N 288490060 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8490060
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Woodbridge Airport Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 10, 1986
- Departed: SUT, SOUTHPORT, NC
- Destination: W22, WOODBRIDGE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 71 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 45 nm away

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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