# NTSB BFO92LA136: Piper PA-44-180T, N83628, Brandenburg, KY, September 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1992, 18:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Brandenburg, KY
- Coordinates: 37.989185, -86.180404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9892&lon=-86.1804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA136

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DESCENDING THROUGH 4000 FEET EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION WHICH WAS 75 MILES AWAY WHEN THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FOLLOWED THE EMERGENCY CHECK LIST AND POWER WAS RESTORED; HOWEVER, SHORTLY THEREAFTER BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER. THE PILOT RADIOED HIS DESTINATION APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE HAD A SICK PASSENGER ON BOARD, AND ASKED FOR THE CLOSEST AIRPORT. HE WAS PROVIDED VECTORS TO AN AIRPORT 10 MILES AWAY, BUT DECIDED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD AS HE STATED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. ACCORDING TO THE FAA, A VISUAL INSPECTION OF BOTH NACELLE FUEL TANKS DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL, AND NO NOTICEABLE FUEL VAPORS WERE PRESENT. THE EXAMINATION ALSO REVEALED THAT THE TANKS WERE NOT RUPTURED OR DAMAGED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, NOR COULD THE BASIS FOR THE REPORT OF THE SICK PASSENGER BE ESTABLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83628](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83628), registered now, S/N 44-8107048 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180t) (registry code 7104404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t0-360-series) (registry code 41528, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-8107048
- Airframe hours: 2273
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: P.C. Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: P.C Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 26, 1992, 35 hours before
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, KS
- Destination: SDF, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,868 total, 406 in this make and model, 1,810 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDF, 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 19920911036579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920911036579A), Sep 11, 1992: Piper PA44180T, Brandenburg, KY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel descending for destination. Crashed in dense wooded area attempting to land on a road.

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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