# NTSB CEN14CA227: Piper PA 24-250, N7308P, New Braunfels, TX, May 2, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2014, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: New Braunfels, TX - Coordinates: 29.704999, -98.123886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7050&lon=-98.1239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89160 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89160/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89160 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA227 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inflight decision making. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot with three passengers planned to depart and return on a cross-country flight. The pilot stated that the airplane's left fuel tank was filled to an inch below the collar, and the right fuel tank was filled to two inches below the collar. He estimated that the airplane had 40-45 gallons of fuel on board, with a planned en route time of 57 minutes, and about a 10 knot tailwind. Once at a cruise altitude of 7,500 feet, he set the manifold pressure at 21 inches and engine rpm at 2,300 for a fuel burn of 12.3 gallons/hr per the pilot operating handbook. The pilot reported for the return leg he again visually checked the fuel level in each tank. He estimated 12-15 gallons in the left tank and 10 in the right, for a total of 22-25 gallons. The pilot added that fuel burn seemed normal and he decided not to add fuel, he also stated that estimations are not an accurate science and that a fuel stick was not provided to confirm the fuel level. After departing for the return flight, he switched fuel tanks from the left side to the right side. About 15 minutes later, the pilot noticed a reduction in power and switched back to the left side fuel tank. Engine power was restored, and the pilot stated that he did not feel that the fuel had been exhausted from the right side based on his calculations. A few minutes later, the engine lost power and the pilot preformed a forced landing to a construction site. A post-crash examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage and left wing during the forced landing. Additionally, the fuel tanks were empty and were not breached in the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot with three passengers planned to depart and return on a cross-country flight. The pilot stated that the airplane's left fuel tank was filled to an inch below the collar, and the right fuel tank was filled to two inches below the collar. He estimated that the airplane had 40-45 gallons of fuel on board, with a planned en route time of 57 minutes, and about a 10 knot tailwind. Once at a cruise altitude of 7,500 feet, he set the manifold pressure at 21 inches and engine rpm at 2,300 for a fuel burn of 12.3 gallons/hr per the pilot operating handbook. The pilot reported for the return leg he again visually checked the fuel level in each tank. He estimated 12-15 gallons in the left tank and 10 in the right, for a total of 22-25 gallons. The pilot added that fuel burn seemed normal and he decided not to add fuel, he also stated that estimations are not an accurate science and that a fuel stick was not provided to confirm the fuel level. After departing for the return flight, he switched fuel tanks from the left side to the right side. About 15 minutes later, the pilot noticed a reduction in power and switched back to the left side fuel tank. Engine power was restored, and the pilot stated that he did not feel that the fuel had been exhausted from the right side based on his calculations. A few minutes later, the engine lost power and the pilot preformed a forced landing to a construction site. A post-crash examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage and left wing during the forced landing. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fuel tanks were empty and were not breached in the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7308P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7308P-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 24-2483, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 24-250 (250) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2483 - Year built: 1961 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Anderson Aviation - Registered owner: Anderson Thomas DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KDWH, Houston, TX - Destination: 1T8, Bulverde, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 397 total, 7.5 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 10.3 in the last 90 days, 6.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KBAZ, 5 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 20140502006279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140502006279A), May 2, 2014: Piper PA-24-250, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced engine power loss 7 nautical miles northwest of New Braunfels, Texas at 4,400? MSL (3,800? AGL). Pilot turned towards New Braunfels… ## Other investigations on N7308P (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 NYC90LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA112), May 26, 1990: Piper PA-24-250 (N7308P), Lyons, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A WORN OUT BRAKE ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OWNER'S DECISION NOT TO REPAIR THE LEFT BRAKE AFTER THE RIGHT BRAKE HAD A SIMILAR FAILURE 4 HOURS EARLIER. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89160. 972 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 959 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.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.