# NTSB CHI83LA337: Piper PA-28-180, N4260T, Youngstown, OH, July 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1983, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Youngstown, OH
- Location: 41.0998° N, 80.6495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Youngstown, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0998&lon=-80.6495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA337

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft performance - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER BEFORE THE ACFT ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP & RESTARTED THE ENG, BUT APRX 1 MIN LATER POWER WAS LOST AGAIN. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO GLIDE TO THE ARPT, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A SWAMP & AVOID CRASHING IN A WOODED AREA. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT WAS BADLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD CALCULATED HIS FUEL AT 65% POWER. ACCORING TO THESE CALCULATIONS, THE AIRCRAFT SHOWULD HAVE FLOWN 5 1/2 HRS; HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE TACH TIME, THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER 4.68 HRS. THE OWNER STATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR ACFT USUALLY BURNED APRX 10 GAL/HR. WITH 48 GAL OF USABLE FUEL. THIS WOULD HAVE YIELDED 4.8 HRS OF FLT TIME, NOT ACCOUNTING FOR START, TAXI, RUN-UP, TAKEOFF & CLIMB. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT HAD CARBURETOR PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT THE OWNER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM INVOLVED THE ENG RUNNING LEAN AT LOW RPM. THE PLT DID NOT MENTION ANY FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM IN HIS STATEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4260T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4260T-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 28-7205123, built 1972 (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: 28-7205123
- Airframe hours: 3005
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Taylor Air Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 1983, 46 hours before
- Departed: ASH, NASHUA, NH
- Destination: YNG, YOUNGSTOWN, OH
- Airport: YNG, Youngstown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 244 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 54 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 19830728035869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830728035869A), Jul 28, 1983: Piper PA28180, Youngstown, OH, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel approaching fuel stop. Crashed into a swamp. Fuel burn rate higher than aircraft manual listings.

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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