# NTSB CHI88LA031: Piper PA-24-180, N5611P, Danville, IL, November 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1987, 17:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Danville, IL
- Coordinates: 40.140621, -87.610435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1406&lon=-87.6104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - gear down and locked - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE ACFT WAS FLOWN FROM DANVILLE TO ROCHELLE, IL. WHILE ON A RETURN FLT WITHOUT REFUELING, THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER, SO THE PLT MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE RGT TANK (WHICH INDCD 1/4 FULL) & POWER WAS RESTORED. HOWEVER, ABOUT 2 MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST ALL POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. THE PLT MADE AN EMERG LANDING ON A ROAD, BUT SAID HE DELAYED EXTENDING THE GEAR UNTIL THE ACFT WAS CLEAR OF POWER LINES. HE INITIATED GEAR EXTENSION, BUT THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN BEFORE THE GEAR WAS FULLY EXTENDED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SETTLED & SKIDDED TO A STOP ON ITS BELLY. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYS REVEALED NO FUEL WAS REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5611P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5611P), registered now, S/N 24-679, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (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: 24-679
- Airframe hours: 2879
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anthony Thompson
- Registered owner: Robert Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1985, 44 hours before
- Departed: 12C, ROCHELLE, IL
- Destination: DNV, DANVILLE, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 329 total, 329 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMI, 20 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 19871128068669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871128068669A), Nov 28, 1987: Piper PA24, Danville, IL, Substantial damage. Forced landing on highway due to fuel exhaustion. Landed gear up. Substantial damage but no injuries.

## Other investigations on N5611P (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA25WA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA25WA173), May 26, 2025: Piper PA-24 (N5611P), Reykjavik, Iceland, substantial damage

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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