# NTSB BFO88FA046: Piper PA-28-180, Arlington, VA, May 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1988, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, VA
- Coordinates: 38.880031, -77.139152 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8800&lon=-77.1392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA046

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF ENG POWER ABOUT 7 MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION NECESSITATING A FORCED LANDING IN A SCHOOLYARD. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN ABOUT 4.4 HRS SINCE IT WAS LAST REFUELED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED LESS THAN A GALLON OF FUEL ABOARD. THE PLT SAID HE USED ABOUT 60 PERCENT POWER AT 7500 FT MSL DURING THE FLIGHT. THIS COMPUTES TO ABOUT 7 GPH FUEL FLOW. THE PLT SAID HE LEANED THE FUEL MIXTURE UNTIL ENG RPM DROPPED AND THEN ENRICHED UNTIL THE PREVIOUS RPM SETTING WAS RESTORED. THE CARB HEAT WAS FOUND IN THE ON POSITION ALTHOUGH THE PLT SAID HE DID NOT OPERATE IT WHEN POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THIS WAS THE PLT FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS MODEL/SERIES ACFT AFTER RECEIVING A 0.4 HRS CHECKOUT IN IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGGNH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7505068
- Airframe hours: 1161
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oshawa Flying Club
- Registered owner: Oshawa Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1988, 58 hours before
- Departed: BUF, BUFFALO, NY
- Destination: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DCA, Washington Natl, runway 15, 5,189 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 147 total, 4 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 6 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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