# NTSB BFO88LA073: Piper PA-28-180, N4873T, Racine, WV, August 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1988, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Racine, WV
- Coordinates: 38.160717, -81.650497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1607&lon=-81.6505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA073

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON THE FIRST LEG OF A FERRY FLIGHT TO WEST GERMANY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 30 MILES FROM CHARLESTON WHEN THE PILOT NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED ABOUT 5 & 11 GALS RESPECTIVELY REMAINING IN THE LEFT & RIGHT FUEL TANKS. HE PROCEEDED TO CHARLESTON, WHILE SWITCHING TANK POSITIONS, BEFORE FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED ABOUT 15 MILES FROM CHARLESTON. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD WITH THE RIGHT WING STRIKING A POWER LINE DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN EXTRA FUEL TANK WITH A 28 GAL CAPACITY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS AIRBORNE ABOUT EIGHT HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4873T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4873T-1994-09-28), registration cancelled 1994-09-28, S/N 287205212 (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: 7205212
- Airframe hours: 1240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Doellein
- Registered owner: Buster, Colman, Douglas,Esbay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: F54, ARLINGTON, TX
- Destination: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV
- Airport: CRW, Yeager, runway 33, 4,750 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 8 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW

## 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 19880807030779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880807030779A), Aug 7, 1988: Piper PA28180, Charleston, WV, Substantial damage. Approach to airport. Fuel exhaustion. Struck powerlines landing on road. Long range tanks. Was airborne over 8HRS.

## Other investigations on N4873T (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 NYC78FGM09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FGM09), Nov 19, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N4873T), Jeannette, PA, 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.

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