# NTSB CHI86FA194: Piper PA-24-250, N5713P, Oshkosh, WI, August 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1986, 14:43 local (19:43 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 44.060832, -88.540084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0608&lon=-88.5401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - separation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - distorted (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AFTER 3+41 HOURS OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS SURE THE TANKS WERE FULL ON TAKEOFF. FLIGHT PLANNING AND A DOCUMENTED CONSERVATIVE FUEL BURN RATE INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMAIN AIRBORNE FOR AT LEAST 4+37 HOURS (13 GALLONS PER HOUR DIVIDED BY THE ACFT FUEL CAPACITY OF 60 GALLONS). AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL BLADDER CELLS REVEALED SEVERAL LOOSE RETAINING CLIPS AND GENERAL COLLAPSING AND DISTORTION OF BOTH CELLS. ACCORDING TO THE LOGBOOK THE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM WAS COMPLIED WITH 41 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5713P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5713P-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 24-787, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-787
- Airframe hours: 1523
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John S. Hartman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1986, 22 hours before
- Departed: AGC, PITTSBURG, PA
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Field, runway 27, 6,166 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 553 total, 17 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 1 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 19860802036999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860802036999A), Aug 2, 1986: Piper PA24250, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. Fuel bladders were detached from clips. AD 0681303R was complied with.

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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