# NTSB CEN15CA055: Piper PA 28-181, N2204Q, Strasburg, CO, November 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 20, 2014, 20:40 local (Nov 21, 2014, 03:40 UTC) - Place: Strasburg, CO - Coordinates: 39.774166, -104.300552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7742&lon=-104.3006&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90417 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90417/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90417 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA055 ## Probable cause The exhaustion of the fuel supply resulting in a complete loss of engine power. ## 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 management (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) - [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) ## 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-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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was operated on a visual flight rules night flight. He estimated that the airplane had about 30 to 32 gallons of fuel prior to departure from the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, about 1825 mst. During the flight, intermittent electrical issues were experienced including static in the headsets, flickering instrument panel lights and a fluctuating ammeter gauge. Attempts were made to alleviate the electrical issues to no avail. A touch and go landing was made at the Kit Carson Airport (ITR), Burlington, Colorado, and a decision was made to shorten the flight and return to the departure airport. The pilot reported that the fuel gauges indicated that the airplane had about 8 gallons remaining in each fuel tank about his time. After 20 minutes had elapsed from the departure from ITR, the fuel gauges showed empty. About 2035 mst, the engine stopped producing power and the pilot switched to the opposite fuel tank. The engine restarted and the flight continued for about 4 to 5 more minutes when the engine again stopped producing power. During the forced landing attempt the airplane struck wires and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot and the flight instructor stated that the airplane's fuel load prior to departure should have been sufficient for a flight of about 3 hours. The total duration of the accident flight was about 2.25 hours. Examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident revealed no fuel remaining in either wing tank. There was no evidence of a fuel spill and no preimpact anomalies were found with respect to the airplane's fuel system. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by ordering more fuel prior to departure or obtaining fuel at ITR. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane's fuel supply was exhausted resulting in a complete loss of engine power. It is also possible that the observed fuel gauge reading were innacurate given the electrical problems encountered during the flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane was operated on a visual flight rules night flight. He estimated that the airplane had about 30 to 32 gallons of fuel prior to departure from the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, about 1825 mst . During the flight, intermittent electrical issues were experienced including static in the headsets, flickering instrument panel lights and a fluctuating ammeter gauge. Attempts were made to alleviate the electrical issues to no avail. A touch and go landing was made at the Kit Carson Airport (ITR), Burlington, Colorado, and a decision was made to shorten the flight and return to the departure airport. The pilot reported that the fuel gauges indicated that the airplane had about 8 gallons remaining in each fuel tank about his time. After 20 minutes had elapsed from the departure from ITR, the fuel gauges showed empty. About 2035 mst, the engine stopped producing power and the pilot switched to the opposite fuel tank. The engine restarted and the flight continued for about 4 to 5 more minutes when the engine again stopped producing power. During the forced landing attempt the airplane struck wires and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot and the flight instructor stated that the airplane's fuel load prior to departure should have been sufficient for a flight of about 3 hours. The total duration of the accident flight was about 2.25 hours. Examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident revealed no fuel remaining in either wing tank. There was no evidence of a fuel spill and no preimpact anomalies were found with respect to the airplane's fuel system. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by ordering more fuel prior to departure or obtaining fuel at ITR. The airplane was equipped with electrically powered fuel level gauges and electrical fuel level sending units. Federal Aviation Administration regulations for visual flights during night conditions require carriage of sufficient fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and an additional 45 minutes. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane's fuel supply was exhausted resulting in a complete loss of engine power. It is also possible that the observed fuel gauge readings during the flight were innacurate given the electrical problems encountered during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2204Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2204Q-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 28-7790381, built 1977 (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: 28-7790381 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 7464 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: G & M Aircraft Inc - Registered owner: G & M Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2014 - Departed: ITR, BURLINGTON, CO - Destination: BJC, DENVER, CO - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 929 total, 430 in this make and model, 852 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 7, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,953 total, 599 in this make and model, 2,831 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: FTG ## 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 20141120020669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141120020669A), Nov 20, 2014: Piper PA-28-181, Stasburg, CO, Substantial damage. On November 20, 2014, a private pilot, flying N2204Q, a PA28-181, receiving VFR services from denver TRACON, enroute from goodland KS.(gld) to broomfield co… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90417. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431010&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.