# NTSB CEN13LA570: Piper PA 28-181, N31688, Algona, IA, September 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 2013, 20:50 local (Sep 30, 2013, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Algona, IA - Coordinates: 43.075279, -94.268058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0753&lon=-94.2681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 88167 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA570 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88167/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88167 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA570 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to ensure he had sufficient fuel on board to complete the planned flight. Contributing to the accident was the incomplete information provided by the airport's AWOS. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Availability of related info (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Airport personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot took off with 34 gallons of fuel onboard and flew to another airport to pick up his flight instructor for a flight review. He and his flight instructor then flew for about an hour and decided to divert to another en route airport to obtain fuel. While en route, they listened to the automated weather observation system (AWOS) for the airport, which provided the weather conditions but no notices to airmen (NOTAMs). The engine sputtered when they were about 1 mile from the airport. The pilot switched fuel tanks and engine power was regained. They circled the airport 3 times while trying to turn on the pilot-controlled runway lights. On the fourth pass, the engine lost power. The pilot made a hard landing short of the approach end of runway 12. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that no useable fuel remained in the fuel tanks. The airport was temporarily closed due to runway construction. The airport management had issued a NOTAM, crossed out the runway numbers, shut the airport beacon light off, and deactivated the pilot-controlled runway lights. The airport manager stated that they put the runway closure information on the AWOS but it kept dropping off. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2013, at 2050 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N31688, experienced a hard landing short of the runway at the Algona Municipal Airport (AXA), Algona, Iowa, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was registered to Okoboji Flyers LLC, and operated by the private pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Night visual meteorological prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The accident leg of the flight originated from the Estherville Municipal Airport (EST), Estherville, Iowa, at 1800. The pilot departed Spencer, Iowa, and flew to EST where he picked up his flight instructor. The pilot stated the purpose of the flight was to complete a flight review. He reported the airplane contained 34 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff and during the flight he switched fuel tanks every 30 minutes. After departing EST, they flew south then east for about 1 hour. Based on the distance from EST and the amount of fuel remaining, the pilot elected to fly to a closer airport, AXA, to obtain fuel prior to returning to EST. About 38 miles northeast of AXA, the pilot listened to the automated weather observation system (AWOS) for the airport. He stated there were no notices to airmen (NOTAMs) on the AWOS. They continued to AXA and the engine began to sputter when they were approximately 1 mile from the airport. The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine regained power. He stated they circled the airport 3 times as they tried to turn on the runway lights. On the fourth pass, the engine lost power. The pilot made a hard landing short of the approach end of runway 12. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no useable fuel remained in the fuel tanks. The airport manager stated the airport was closed between September 16, 2013 and October 9, 2013, due to runway construction. He stated they issued a NOTAM, crossed out the runway numbers, shut the airport beacon light off, and deactivated the pilot controlled runway lights. The airport manager stated they put the runway closure information on the AWOS, but it kept dropping off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31688](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31688-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 28-7890475, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-181 (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: 28-7890475 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 1670 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 2012 - Departed: KEST, Estherville, IA - Destination: KEST, Estherville, IA - Airport: KAXA, Algona Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 22, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 90 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days - Flight instructor; age 32; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 1,411 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,276 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: AXA ## 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 20130929021429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130929021429A), Sep 29, 2013: Piper PA-28-181, Algona, IA, Substantial damage. The pilot indicated that he made a decision to re-route to kaxa direct to refuel. While arriving at the town of Algona, the engine sputtered. He switched fuel… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88167. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 918 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Email - Iowa DOT (item 3, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20-%20Iowa%20DOT-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.