# NTSB BFO92LA091: Piper PA-28-181, N2857D, Clay City, KY, July 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1992, 23:14 local (Jul 9, 1992, 03:14 UTC)
- Place: Clay City, KY
- Coordinates: 37.860279, -83.919036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8603&lon=-83.9190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11813/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA091

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.  DARKNESS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS REFUELED TO CAPACITY OF 50 GALLONS BEFORE DEPARTURE.  HE STATED HE WAS 4.2 HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT, DESCENDING FROM 8000 TO 4000 FEET MSL, WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL GAGES INDICATED 4 AND ABOUT 7 TO 8 GALLONS, RESPECTIVELY, WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED, AND THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SET TO THE LEFT TANK.  ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE POWER, INCLUDING SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  THE EXAMINATION REVEALED THE CARBURETOR INLET FUEL LINE WAS EMPTY.  THE LEFT WING SEPARATED DURING THE CRASH IMPACT SEQUENCE, CAME TO REST IN A TREE, AND WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR EXAMINATION.  THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK WAS UNDETERMINED. PERFORMANCE CHARTS INDICATED THAT WITH THE PILOT'S REPORTED POWER SETTINGS, THE FUEL FLOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 8.4 GALLONS PER HOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2857D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2857D-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 28-7990500, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7990500
- Airframe hours: 1438
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Lexington Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Lexington Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1991, 85 hours before
- Departed: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Destination: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 608 total, 156 in this make and model, 558 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LEX, 30 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 19920708024369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920708024369A), Jul 8, 1992: Piper PA28181, Clay City, KY, Destroyed. Reported low fuel then out of fuel. Landed in trees. Fuel selector on left empty tank. No fuel in carb. No defects

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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