# NTSB CEN24LA050: Piper PA-28-181, N8274H, Minneapolis, MN, November 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 28, 2023, 10:31 local (16:31 UTC) - Place: Minneapolis, MN - Coordinates: 45.062469, -93.353965 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0625&lon=-93.3540&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193454 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193454/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193454 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA050 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to fuel starvation that was the result of a leaking fuel drain. ## 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 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) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane’s engine momentarily lost power while approaching to land near the conclusion of about a 3.5-hour flight. The pilot advanced the throttle control and engine power was restored for about 30 seconds to one minute before all engine power was again lost. The pilot reported that the airplane was operating on the right fuel tank when the power loss occurred and that all attempts to restore power were unsuccessful, including switching to the left fuel tank. The airplane struck a car during the ensuing forced landing to a road, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination shortly after the accident revealed that the left fuel tank drain was leaking an undetermined amount of fuel, and the left fuel tank did not contain a usable amount of fuel. The fuel tank was not compromised. The right fuel tank contained an undetermined amount of usable fuel. Examination of the fuel tank drain revealed that the o-ring seal was deformed and gouged. Subsequent examination revealed no other anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. Based on the available information, although the pilot believed he was operating on the right fuel tank, he was likely operating on the left fuel tank, which had leaked an undetermined amount of fuel. The leakage from the tank drain resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power. Due to the low altitude when the power loss occurred, the pilot was unable to restore fuel flow to the engine before the forced landing. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 2023, about 1031 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8274H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed from Crystal Airport (MIC), near Minneapolis, Minnesota, about 0710. He noted that he departed with full fuel (48 gallons) onboard. He then flew the airplane to Watertown Regional Airport (ATY), near Watertown, South Dakota, a flight which he said took about 2 hours due to a headwind encountered along the route. He performed a touch-and-go landing at ATY and then proceeded back toward MIC, which he said took about 1hour 15 minutes due to a tailwind. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data confirmed that the flight lasted 3 hours and 26 minutes. The pilot stated that during the flight he switched the selected fuel tank every 30 minutes and noted that the airplane was equipped with a fuel timer to remind the pilot when to switch the fuel tanks. As he approached MIC, he contacted the control tower and was given instructions for sequencing to land on runway 14. When he turned onto a right base for runway 14, the engine lost partial power momentarily. He stated that he pushed the throttle control forward and the engine power was restored. He then started the turn to the final approach for runway 14 and the engine lost all power. The pilot noted that the engine had remained under power for 30 seconds to one minute following the momentary power loss before it lost all power. The pilot notified the tower controller of his engine issues and began emergency procedures that included switching fuel tanks, turning the magnetos off and back on, checking that the primer was locked, checking the throttle was full forward and the mixture was rich, turning on the fuel pump, and applying carburetor heat. These procedures were unsuccessful in restoring engine power, and he executed a forced landing to a road. During the forced landing the airplane struck a powerline and a vehicle, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The driver of the vehicle received minor injuries. Postaccident examination of the airplane shortly after the accident revealed that the left fuel tank was not compromised but the tank drain was leaking fuel. The left fuel tank did not contain any usable fuel. The leakage rate from the left fuel tank drain was not determined. Removal of the fuel tank drain revealed that the o-ring seal was deformed and gouged. The right fuel tank contained an undetermined amount of usable fuel. Subsequent examination revealed no other anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. When queried after the accident, the pilot reported that the airplane was operating on the right fuel tank when the initial and subsequent power losses occurred. He stated that he switched from the rightfuel tank to the left fuel tank during the troubleshooting procedures he attempted. He noted that the engine did not continue windmilling and the propeller stopped. He stated that he attempted to restart the engine by engaging the starter once and the propeller turned but then stopped again. At that point, he focused on the forced landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8274H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8274H), registered now, S/N 28-8190052, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - 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: 28-8190052 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 9849 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thunderbird Aircraft Co - Registered owner: Thunderbird Aircraft Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 15, 2023, 22 hours before - Departed: MIC, Crystal, MN - Destination: MIC, Crystal, MN - Airport: MIC - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 240 total, 95 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KMIC - METAR: METAR KMIC 281653Z 19009KT 10SM CLR M07/M14 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP225 T10721144= ## 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 20231128016409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231128016409A), Nov 28, 2023: Piper PA-28-181, Brooklyn Park, MN, Substantial damage. The PIC was approaching the planned destination airport after a solo cross country. The total hobbs time for the flight was 3.5 hours. Upon initial contact… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193454. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16471910&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation with FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16722940&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20ROC-Rel.pdf - Pilot answers to subsequent questions (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16723165&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20inspector%20questions-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16722687&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-Rel.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.