# NTSB BFO89LA070: Piper PA-28-180, N7597W, Clendenin, WV, August 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1989, 11:33 local (15:33 UTC)
- Place: Clendenin, WV
- Location: 38.4845° N, 81.3515° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clendenin, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4845&lon=-81.3515&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA070

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S DELAY IN DIVERTING TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, AND THE LIGHT POLE WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7597W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7597W-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 28-1551, built 1964 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1551
- Airframe hours: 2242
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carmen J. Ferrell, Jr.
- Registered owner: Carmen J. Ferrell, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: W42, FALLSTON, MD
- Destination: I89, FAYETTEVILLE, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 774 total, 40 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 13 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 19890821030799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890821030799A), Aug 21, 1989: Piper PA28180, Clendenin, WV, Destroyed. Encountered weather en route became disoriented ran out of fuel got radar vectors to a road. Hit light pole landing

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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