# NTSB CHI87LA164: Piper PA-28-181, N8155A, Vincennes, IN, July 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 23:15 local (Jul 13, 1987, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Vincennes, IN
- Coordinates: 38.670833, -87.509651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6708&lon=-87.5097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR SELECTED TO AN EMPTY TANK. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE ACFT SKIDDED ACROSS A ROAD AND STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8155A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090235
- Airframe hours: 3499
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Logansport Flying Service
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1987, 2 hours before
- Destination: GGP, LOGANSPORT, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 3 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUF, 47 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 19870712034489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712034489A), Jul 12, 1987: Piper PA28181, Vincennes, IN, Substantial damage. The engine lost power on takeoff. Aircraft hit a road and landed in a field. Empty fuel tank selected.

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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