# NTSB CEN15LA216: Piper PA 28-235, N8703W, Huntington, IN, May 4, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 4, 2015, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Huntington, IN - Coordinates: 40.864166, -85.470001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8642&lon=-85.4700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: NTSB Central Region, FAA South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91122/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91122 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA216 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## 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-28-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he departed on a 76-mile cross-country flight with about 5 gallons of fuel in the left main fuel tank, about 16 gallons in the right main tank, and 6 gallons in the right wingtip fuel tank. About 31 miles from the destination, with the left main fuel tank selected, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the pilot conducted a forced landing to a two-lane highway. During the landing, the airplane collided with the rear of a truck, separating the right wing. The airplane came to rest inverted in a ditch about 250 ft from the initial impact point. The pilot reported that the entire flight was conducted on the left main fuel tank. Given the expected fuel consumption and distance traveled before the loss of power, the accident is consistent with the pilot's fuel mismanagement, which resulted in the engine being starved of available fuel. ## Factual narrative On May 4, 2015, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA28-235 airplane, N8703W, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing at Huntington, Indiana. The pilot and a person on the ground sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed. The airplane departed from Anderson Municipal Airport (AID), Anderson, Indiana, and was destined for De Kalb County Airport (GWB), Auburn, Indiana, located about 76 miles away. The pilot reported that during cruise flight, about 2,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine had a sudden and complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to conduct a forced landing to a two-lane paved highway. During the landing the airplane impacted the rear of a pickup truck that was stopped at a traffic signal. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airplane and the complete separation of the right wing. The airplane came to rest inverted in a ditch about 250 ft from the initial impact point. During a conversation with the NTSB investigator in Charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he had about 5 gallons of fuel in the left main fuel tank, about 16 gallons in the right main tank, and 6 gallons in the right tip fuel tank. He added that the fuel selector was on the left main fuel tank. A review of the PA28's Pilot Owners Handbook, revealed that at 75 % power, fuel consumption is 14 gallons/hour. The handbook also noted that cruise speed was 146 mph (126.9 kts) at sea level and 156 mph (135.6 kts) at 7,000 ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8703W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8703W-2018-04-18), registration cancelled 2018-04-18, S/N 28-10235, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10235 - Year built: 1964 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AID, ANDERSON, IN - Destination: GWB, AUBURN, IN - Airport: HHG, Huntington Muni, runway 27, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KHHG, 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 20150504006909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150504006909A), May 4, 2015: Piper PA-28-235, Huntington, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft reported a loss of power while enroute. Aircraft made an off airport landing just prior to the intersection of us highway 224 and Indiana state… ## Other investigations on N8703W (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 UNK65X0291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0291), Oct 16, 1964: Piper PA28 (N8703W), Topeka, KS, destroyed ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91122. 2.2 MB in all. - Memo (item 1, .PDF, 495 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo-Master.PDF - Airplane Owner's Handbook (excerpts) (item 2, .PDF, 497 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Owner%27s%20Handbook%20(excerpts)-Master.PDF - Accident Site Overview (item 3, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Overview-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.