# NTSB BFO91LA035: Piper PA-28-151, N8738E, Martinsburg, WV, March 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1991, 20:36 local (Mar 27, 1991, 01:36 UTC)
- Place: Martinsburg, WV
- Coordinates: 39.46091, -77.969871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4609&lon=-77.9699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA035

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS PURCHASED AT NORTHAMPTON AND IT WAS BEING FERRIED TO THE NEW HOME BASE AT PINE BLUFF, AR.  THE PASSENGERS HELD PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATES.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 4 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF, BASED ON THE HOBBSMETER AND TACHOMETER TIMES.  THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE NEARED MARTINSBURG, AN INTERMEDIATE STOP, THE FUEL PRESSURE GAGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING.  HE TURNED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP, BUT HE DOES NOT RECALL DETAILS OF THE FLIGHT AFTERWARDS.  ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS SEATED IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT, AND INDICATED THAT HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE MOST OF THE FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT THEY STOPPED EARLIER WHILE EN ROUTE AT ANOTHER AIRPORT, BUT THERE WERE NO SERVICES THERE, SO THE FLIGHT WAS RESUMED.  HE SAID THAT MRB WAS IN SIGHT WHEN THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER.  HE SAID THE PILOT TOOK CONTROL OF THE FLIGHT.  ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE POWER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL WAS NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8738E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8738E-2011-08-03), registration cancelled 2011-08-03, S/N 28-7615156, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 7615156
- Airframe hours: 2035
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Martin Aircraft
- Registered owner: Martin Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1990, 94 hours before
- Departed: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA
- Destination: MRB, MARTINSBURG, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 847 total, 18 in this make and model, 763 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB, 1 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 19910326063209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910326063209A), Mar 26, 1991: Piper PA28151, Martinsburg, WV, Destroyed. Low on fuel at night. Let down for landing at airport. Engine quit. Crashed in trees. No usable fuel on board.

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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