# NTSB CEN15LA064: Piper PA 24-250, N5897P, Berrien Springs, MI, November 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 28, 2014, 16:11 UTC - Place: Berrien Springs, MI - Coordinates: 41.95111, -86.368057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9511&lon=-86.3681&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 4 serious - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 90450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90450/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90450 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA064 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## 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) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/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. - [Approach: 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) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he calculated that the airplane had sufficient fuel on board for about 90 minutes of flight; he estimated that the flight to his intended destination would take about 70 minutes. The flight encountered weather as it approached its destination, so the pilot decided to circle the area until the weather cleared. Once the weather cleared, he lined up the airplane on final approach for the runway. The pilot stated that, about 4 miles from the runway, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power because the airplane ran out of fuel. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and terrain. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 2014, about 1110 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24 airplane, N5897P, sustained substantial damage following a total loss of engine power enroute to Andrews University Airpark (C20), Berrien Springs, MI. The pilot, who was the registered owner, co-pilot, and 2 passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of departure from Richmond Municipal Airport, Richmond, Indiana. The flight was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated he was planning a 70 minute flight enroute to his destination. The fixed based operator at his departure airport was closed and fuel was not available. He had calculated there was 90 minutes of fuel onboard the airplane based on a previous flight 2 days prior. The pilot reported he encountered weather as he approached his intended destination and decided to circle until the weather cleared. When the weather cleared he lined up on final approach for the runway. The pilot stated that approximately 4 miles from the runway he encountered a total loss of engine power when the airplane ran out of fuel. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and terrain causing substantial damage to airplane's fuselage and wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5897P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5897P-2017-04-05), registration cancelled 2017-04-05, S/N 24-984, built 1959 (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: 24-984 - Year built: 1959 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 2014 - Departed: RID, RICHMOND, IN - Destination: C20, BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: C20, Andrews University Airpark, runway 31, 4,160 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 30, 2014; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command - Co-pilot; age 32; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 124.3 total, 78.3 in this make and model, 122.3 as pilot in command, 20.1 in the last 90 days, 11.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KBEH, 11 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 20141128021549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141128021549A), Nov 28, 2014: Piper PA-24-250, Berrien Springs, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed krid 11/28/2014 on an IFR clearance enroute to C20, approximately a one and one half hour flight. Pilot cancelled IFR clearance in the air… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90450. 989 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 989 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431687&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.