# NTSB CHI06LA034: Piper PA-28-180, N3425R, Batavia, OH, November 20, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 2005, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Batavia, OH - Coordinates: 39.078334, -84.210281 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0783&lon=-84.2103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cincinnati FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62894/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA034 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and improper fuel management by the pilot while on approach. Contributing factors were the low altitude and unsuitable terrain encountered during an emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - altitude - low (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a field during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power about 500 feet above ground level and while on approach to the destination airport. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank was half full. The fuel selector was positioned to the right fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel pump switch was in the off position. Examination of the engine did not note any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 2005, at 1030 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N3425R, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a forced landing three statute miles northeast from Clermont County Airport (I69), Batavia, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was uninjured. The local flight originated from I69 at 0915. The pilot stated that while on approach and approximately 2 miles from I69, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power about 500 feet above ground level. The pilot then performed a forced landing on an agricultural field. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the left fuel tank did not contain usable fuel and the right fuel tank was 1/2 full with 100 low lead aviation fuel. Compression was noted on all cylinders. Engine mechanical and electrical continuity was confirmed. The fuel selector was positioned to the right fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel pump switch was in the off position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3425R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3425R-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 28-5674, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - 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: 28-5674 - Airframe hours: 5907 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005 - Departed: I69, Batavia, OH - Destination: I69, Batavia, OH - Airport: I69, Clermont County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 890 total, 700 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: LUK, 10 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 20051120032159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051120032159A), Nov 20, 2005: Piper PA28180, Batavia, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Piper cherokee, PA-28-180, N3425R crashed on 11/20/2005 near the clermont county airport. The pilot suffered minor injuries and the aircraft had… 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.