# NTSB CHI83LA020: Piper PA-32-260, N4740S, Vandalia, OH, October 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1982, 21:30 local (Oct 18, 1982, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Vandalia, OH
- Coordinates: 40.970344, -83.480575 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9703&lon=-83.4806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD 40 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE DEPARTED PARKERSBURG, WV FOR NEW CARLISLE, OH. DURING A NIGHT ARRIVAL AT NEW CARLISLE, HE WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS BY KEYING HIS MICROPHONE. THEREFORE, HE DIVERTED TO VANDALIA, OH. AFTER LANDING, HE MADE A TELEPHONE CALL TO ARRANGE FOR THE RUNWAY LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON MANUALLY AT NEW CARLISLE. AFTER A SHORT WAIT, THE PILOT TOOK OFF AGAIN FOR NEW CARLISLE. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GET A RESTART. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE CRASHED LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THERE WAS FUEL IN BOTH AUXILIARY (TIP) TANKS, ABOUT 5.5 GAL IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK, 1 PINT IN THE LEFT MAIN, BUT NO FUEL IN THE LINE FROM THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT MAIN POSITION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THIS WAS THE TANK HE SELECTED FOR TAKEOFF AND WAS ALSO THE TANK POSITION SELECTED WHEN HE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4740S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4740S), registered now, S/N 32-1172, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1172
- Airframe hours: 2510
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas E. Fulton
- Registered owner: Thomas E. Fulton
- Departed: DAV, VANDALIA, OH
- Destination: OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 288 total, 180 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 108 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821017055789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821017055789A), Oct 17, 1982: Piper PA32260, Vandalia, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb to cruise. No fuel in left main and no fuel in carburetor. Selector on right tank.

## Other investigations on N4740S (2)

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 CHI74DEG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEG04), Jul 31, 1973: Piper PA-32 (N4740S), Vandalia, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI71FBJ53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBJ53), Jan 10, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N4740S), Boyne City, MI, substantial damage

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.

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