# NTSB CHI85FA325: Piper PA-28-181, N8503E, Eureka, WI, July 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1985, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, WI
- Coordinates: 43.999469, -88.840065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9995&lon=-88.8401&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): 12859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA325

## 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
  - electrical system,battery - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - psychological condition, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PILOT CALCULATED THAT WITH 48 GALLONS OF FUEL HE COULD MAKE THE FOUR HOUR FLIGHT TO OSHKOSH WITH ONE HOUR OF FUEL TO SPARE. UPON ARRIVING AT A POINT 25 MI SW OF OSHKOSH HE RECEIVED A REQUEST TO DESCEND 1200 FT, A REQUEST TO CLIMB 1200 FT AND A REQUEST TO CHANGE HEADING NUMBEROUS TIMES. HE COMPLIED WITH THESE REQUESTS WHICH WERE NECESSARY TO WORK HIM INTO THE TRAFFIC FLOW WHICHWAS CONGESTED DUE TO THE ANNUAL EAA FLY-IN. HIS ENGINE BEGAN TO FAIL DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE AIRCRAFT. FAA PERSONNEL STATED THAT IF THE PILOT WOULD HAVE WARNED THEM ABOUTHIS FUEL STATE BEFORE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO FAIL, THEY WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM A MORE DIRECT ROUTING TO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8503E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8503E), registered now, S/N 28-7690175, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28761905
- Airframe hours: 3008
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: 3G6, SEBRING, OH
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 390 total, 280 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °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 19850731035489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850731035489A), Jul 31, 1985: Piper PA28181, Eureka, WI, Substantial damage. Fuel exhausted near end of cross country flight. Struck trees after ground loop during a forced landing in a field.

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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