# NTSB BFO92FA011: Piper PA-24-180, N5174P, Sandston, VA, December 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1991, 18:34 local (23:34 UTC)
- Place: Sandston, VA
- Coordinates: 37.509265, -77.270111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5093&lon=-77.2701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA011

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOTS SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCE LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOTS DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL TANKS FOR THEIR FIVE HOUR FLIGHT.  THEY WERE GIVEN SEVERAL ALTITUDE CHANGES WHICH AT TIMES, PUT THEM INTO GREATER THAN EXPECTED HEAD WINDS.  THEY ALSO WERE GIVEN ONE SIGNIFICANT OFF COURSE VECTOR.  LATER IN THE FLIGHT, THEY ELECTED TO STOP SHORT OF THEIR DESTINATION FOR FUEL. DURING THEIR ILS APPROACH IN IMC CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AND THEY CRASHED INTO A PARTIALLY WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5174P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5174P-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 24-193, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (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: 24-193
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Kroll
- Registered owner: Michael Kroll
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1991, 0 hours before
- Departed: 6B0, MIDDLEBURY, UT
- Destination: 0AJ, JACKSONVILLE, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RIC, Richmond Int.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 4,807 total, 56 in this make and model, 4,550 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 6 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 19911201053839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911201053839A), Dec 1, 1991: Piper PA24, Sandston, VA, Destroyed. Engine quit on final approach. Right wing hit two trees. Aircraft crashed to the ground. Aircraft ran out of fuel.

## Other investigations on N5174P (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 NYC66D0178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0178), Aug 24, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N5174P), Easthampton, NY, 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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