# NTSB CEN19FA005: Piper PA28, N180QT, Cartersville, GA, October 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2018, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Cartersville, GA - Coordinates: 34.078887, -84.861114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0789&lon=-84.8611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 23, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA, Lycoming Engines, Piper Aircraft Inc - NTSB case key (mKey): 98469 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19FA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98469/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98469 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA005 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning and his decision to continue flight without stopping for fuel, 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-28-180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102808), [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 management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102808), [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. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed on a cross-county flight in day visual meteorological conditions. According to the airplane's co-owner, who spoke with the pilot before he departed on the accident flight, the airplane had about 34 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of departure. Based on his experience, this was sufficient for about 2 hours 20 minutes of flight. He suggested that the pilot top off the airplane's fuel tanks before departure. When he watched the pilot taxi the airplane past the fuel facility and take off, he subsequently sent the pilot a text message stating, "Do hope you had a fuel stop planned." The pilot replied that he would stop if he needed to. GPS data indicated that the pilot did not land at any point between the departure airport and accident site, though he passed near one airport, and directly over another airport, both of which had fuel services available. A witness reported that the airplane's engine stopped then restarted. Another witness reported that the airplane's engine was surging. The airplane subsequently impacted power lines. The duration of the accident flight was 3 hours and 10 minutes. Postaccident examination revealed that both fuel tanks were intact; the left wing tank was empty, and the right wing tank contained residual fuel. Examination of the fuel system and the engine revealed no anomalies. Given the absence of fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks at the accident site, the duration of the flight, and the known quantity of fuel onboard at the time of departure, the accident is consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Although the pilot passed over two other airports with fuel available, he chose to continue the flight beyond the airplane's endurance given the fuel at departure. ## Factual narrative The co-owner estimated that the airplane typically consumed about 10 to 10.5 gallons per hour and believed the pilot could fly safely for 2 hours 20 minutes with the fuel onboard at the time of departure. On October 13, 2018, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N180QT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Cartersville, Georgia. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A co-owner of the airplane reported that he spoke to the accident pilot before he departed from Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Gainesville, Florida. He and the pilot discussed the airplane's fuel load, which was about 34 gallons, and the pilot's flight plan to Tom B. David Airport (CZL), Calhoun, Georgia. Based on that conversation, he believed the pilot was going to add additional fuel to the airplane before departure; however, the pilot taxied past the airport's fuel facility and proceeded to take off. The co-owner subsequently texted the pilot , "Do hope you had a fuel stop planned." At 1243, the pilot replied, "If I need to, I'll stop in LaGrange." GPS data from onboard the airplane indicated that the airplane departed GNV at 1119 and proceeded toward CZL. The airplane flew east of LaGrange-Callaway Airport (LGC), LaGrange, Georgia, and flew directly overhead Pauling Northwest Atlanta Airport (PUJ), Atlanta, Georgia; both airports had 100 low-lead aviation fuel available. As the airplane flew over PUJ, the flight track diverted north-northeast toward Cartersville Airport (VPC), Cartersville, Georgia. One witness reported that the airplane flew overhead heading in a north-northwesterly direction. It was flying normally when "all of a sudden the engine noise just stopped." The witness did not hear a sputter before or after it stopped, but "about 7 seconds later" the engine noise resumed, and the airplane appeared to fly normally along the same route. The witness added that she did not notice any other abnormalities after the engine noise stopped; the airplane "appeared to be gliding," it "did not appear to be losing altitude," and the "wings appeared to remain level." Another witness, who was located closer to the accident site, stated that the "airplane sounded loud when passing [overhead] with the engine surging." A pilot flying in the area heard a radio call stating "mayday, mayday, mayday, Cherokee [unintelligible]." He was unable to hear the end of the transmission clearly. According Georgia Power, an impact to the high-tension powerline located adjacent to the accident site was recorded at 14:29:30. The airplane impacted the outboard bundle of high-tension wires and tree branches on the north side of an embankment. The initial impact point on the embankment contained pieces of the propeller spinner and windscreen. The main wreckage came to rest at the bottom of the embankment in a muddy ravine on a magnetic heading of 050º at an elevation of1,020 feet mean sea level. The left and right fuel tanks were intact and their fuel caps remained in place. There was no fuel observed in the left fuel tank, and a residual amount of fuel was observed in the right fuel tank. There was also a residual amount of fuel in the gascolator bowl and electric fuel pump. Fuel line continuity to the gascolator was confirmed with low-pressure air. The flap lever was stowed, indicating 0° of flap extension. The magneto switch was in the "both" position. The throttle and mixture controls were in the full-forward positions, the primer was in the stowed position, and the electric fuel pump switch was in the "off' position. The fuel selector valve was in the left fuel tank position. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or anomalies. Compression and suction were observed from all four cylinders. Borescope examination of the cylinders revealed no anomalies. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange. The spinner was fragmented. One propeller blade exhibited chordwise abrasions. The other blade was bent aft at mid-span about 10° and exhibited chordwise abrasions and twisting toward the blade face. No leading edge damage was observed on either blade. The co-owner stated that he had flown the airplane about 2 weeks before the accident; during the flight, "the airplane and radios worked very well with no maintenance issues." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180QT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N180QT-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 28-3891, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-3891 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GNV, Gainesville, FL - Destination: CZL, Calhoun, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 20, 2018; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 339 total, 262 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KVPC, 3 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 20181013019939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181013019939A), Oct 13, 2018: Piper PA-28-180, Dallas, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On October 13,2018 approximately 1852Z (1452 EDT) Piper PA-28-180 registration number N180QTCRASHED 3 nautical miles north of cartersville airport (kvpc).… ## Docket (14 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98469. 14.3 MB in all. - FAA Record of Conversation with Airplane Co-owner (item 1, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Airplane%20Co-owner-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record for Wreckage Exam (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20%20of%20Record%20for%20Wreckage%20Exam-Master.PDF - Accident Site Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Photographs-Master.PDF - Aircraft Performance 13 - Attachment 1 (item 4, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Performance%2013%20-%20Attachment%201-Master.PDF - Flight Track Data and Fueling Options (item 5, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Track%20Data%20and%20Fueling%20Options-Master.PDF - GPS Data from Onboard iFly Unit (item 6, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=GPS%20Data%20from%20Onboard%20iFly%20Unit-Master.PDF - Statement from Ground Witness (Sechler) (item 7, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Ground%20Witness%20(Sechler)-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation with Ground Witness (Guzowski) (item 8, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Ground%20Witness%20(Guzowski)-Master.PDF - Witness Statement from Delta Pilot (item 9, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20from%20Delta%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Wire Impact Time From Georgia Power (item 10, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486432&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wire%20Impact%20Time%20From%20Georgia%20Power-Master.PDF - Statement from GA Power Personnel Who Located Airplane Wreckage (item 11, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20GA%20Power%20Personnel%20Who%20Located%20Airplane%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Email from LaGrange Airport Regarding Fueling Stop (item 12, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20from%20LaGrange%20Airport%20Regarding%20Fueling%20Stop-Master.PDF - NTSB Party Form - Piper (item 13, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Form%20-%20Piper-Master.PDF - NTSB Party Form - Lycoming (item 14, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Form%20-%20Lycoming-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.