# NTSB CHI82DA084: Piper PA-28, N9697J, Cambridge, MN, March 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1982, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Cambridge, MN
- Coordinates: 45.55912, -93.219467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5591&lon=-93.2195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA084

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD EXPECTED THAT STRONG HEADWINDS WOULD DECREASE DURING FLIGHT; HOWEVER, THEY CONTINUED. THE PILOT MADE AN ENROUTE STOP FOR FUEL, BUT AFTER LANDING, HE FOUND THAT THE AIRPORT WAS DESERTED. HE STATED THAT HE RECALCULATED THE ELAPSED TIME, ETC, AND PICKED THE NEXT AVAILABLE AIRPORT. HE BELIEVED SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS ON BOARD. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT SWITCHED TANKS, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND STILL BELIEVED HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL. THE ENGINE AGAIN LOST POWER ABOUT 4 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION. THE PILOT PICKED AN AREA TO LAND, BUT CRASHED INTO TREES BEFORE REACHING THE DESIRED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9697J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 3886
- Airframe hours: 2054
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David R. Shea
- Registered owner: David R. Shea
- Departed: MADISON, WI
- Destination: CAMBRIDGE, MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CBG

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 77 total, 19 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 104 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBG

## 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 19820313003739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820313003739A), Mar 13, 1982: Piper PA28180, Cambridge, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during attempted emergency landing from fuel exhaustion.

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.