# NTSB BFO89FA063: Piper PA-24-250, N7162P, True, WV, July 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1989, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: True, WV
- Location: 37.5807° N, 80.9362° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of True, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5807&lon=-80.9362&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AS THE PILOT PERFORMED AN EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID THE MOUNTAIN TOP.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE VFR RATED PLT REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE TO GET ON TOP OF WX THEN CONTINUED THE FLT VFR. EN ROUTE, TWO DIFFERENT FACILITIES HEARD THE PLT MAKE TRANSMISSIONS. ONE FACILITY REPORTED THE PLT TRANSMITTED HE WAS INBOUND FOR A LANDING TO REFUEL. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALT AND THE ENGINE WAS CUTTING ON AND OFF. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE CAME ON AGAIN AND THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB TO CLEAR A MOUNTAIN TOP. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AFTER CLEARING THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. THE IMPACT HEADING WAS REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF FLT. RECORDS INDICATE THE ACFT WAS TOPPED OFF WITH FUEL PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE ACFT HAS 2 30-GALLON MAIN TANKS AND 2 15-GALLON AUX TANKS. THE FLT WAS APRX 2 HOURS LONG PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE ACFT BURN APRX 14 GPH AT 75 PERCENT CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7162P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7162P-1990-07-16), registration cancelled 1990-07-16, S/N 242328 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2328
- Airframe hours: 4039
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilbur G. Hinton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1989
- Departed: FNT, FLINT, MI
- Destination: SN4, LINCOLNTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 670 total, 244 in this make and model, 582 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKW, 18 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 19890728025599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890728025599A), Jul 28, 1989: Piper PA24250, True, WV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness heard engine miss. Pilot pulled up to miss a ridge,stalled, crashed and burned. Cause power loss unknown.

## Other investigations on N7162P (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 NYC66F0223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0223), Sep 5, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N7162P), Gaithersburg, MD, 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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