# NTSB CHI84LA030: Piper PA-32-260, N15419, Warsaw, IN, October 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1983, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Warsaw, IN
- Coordinates: 41.229125, -85.850852 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2291&lon=-85.8509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA030

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING ENG FAILURE. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 5.5 HOURS BEFORE LANDING 3 MILES NE OF THE INTENDED REFUELING STOP. THE PILOT HAD PASSED FT WAYNE AT FLT TIME OF 5+ HOURS WITH ABOUT 10 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING AS ESTIMATED USING THE GUAGES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT AN FAA INSPECTOR FOUND NO SIGNS OF A FUEL LEAK. THE RIGHT TIP TANK HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE REMAINING TANKS CONTAINED NO FUEL. THE MAIN FUEL LINE CONTAINED ONLY A FEW DROPS OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15419](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15419-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 32-7300007, built 1972 (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: 32-7300007
- Airframe hours: 2848
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George R. Melnyk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 28, 1983, 33 hours before
- Departed: PVG, HAMPTON ROADS, VA
- Destination: SBN, SOUTH BEND, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,550 total, 108 in this make and model, 2,480 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19831028055899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831028055899A), Oct 28, 1983: Piper PA32260, Warsaw, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Had been airborne 5.5 hours; the aircrafts total fuel range. Crash landed.

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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