# NTSB BFO90LA060: Piper PA-24-250, N8337P, Newport News, VA, June 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1990, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Newport News, VA
- Coordinates: 37.109546, -76.519348 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1095&lon=-76.5193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA060

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION CAUSED BY PILOT MISJUDGING THE FUEL SUPPLY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INACCURATE FUEL GAGES.

## 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)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT AND CFI WERE ON A TRAINING FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER THREE TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT. AFTER THE FIRST TWO TIMES THAT POWER LOSS OCCURRED, THE PLT WAS ABLE TO RESTORE POWER TO THE ENGINE AFTER HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. THE PLT TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER THE THIRD TIME. THE PLT AND CFI STATED THAT THE FUEL GAGES INDICATED ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE TANKS. THE PLT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL BEFORE TAKEOFF, AND HE ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 30 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE TANKS. THE FLIGHT DURATION WAS ABOUT 45 MINUTES. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8337P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8337P-1992-06-03), registration cancelled 1992-06-03, S/N 243592 (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: 243592
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary C. Cole
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: PHF
- Airport: PHF, Patrick Henry Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 333 total, 146 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900622022299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900622022299A), Jun 22, 1990: Piper PA24250, Newport News, VA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped twice as fuel tanks ran dry. Began a belated return,exhausted all fuel. Crash landed off airport.

## Other investigations on N8337P (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 CHI67D0285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67D0285), Oct 3, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N8337P), Sheboygan Fls, WI, 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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