# NTSB CHI86LA169: Piper PA-28R-201, N3731T, Benson, MN, July 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1986, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Benson, MN
- Coordinates: 45.309955, -95.600509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3100&lon=-95.6005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE RAN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK DRY BEFORE SWITCHING TO THE LEFT TANK IN CRUISE FLIGHT. ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A LANDING THE ENGINE BEGAN TO FALTER AND QUIT RUNNING SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY GEAR UP IN ROUGH TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN EXAMINATION OF BOTH FUEL TANKS FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT REVEALED APPROXIMATELY ONE QUART OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK ONLY. THE FUEL GAGES WERE TESTED AND PROVED TO BE ACCURATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3731T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-3009
- Airframe hours: 2110
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-BIE 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Swift Pro Ag Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: K36, ONAWA, IA
- Airport: BBB, Bonson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 275 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AXN, 42 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 19860713032289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860713032289A), Jul 13, 1986: Piper PA28R180, Benson, MN, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft landed short of the runway.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.