# NTSB CHI89LA004: Piper PA-28-181, N8112T, Indianapolis, IN, October 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1988, 19:20 local (Oct 11, 1988, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.910957, -86.009391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9110&lon=-86.0094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA004

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS FAMILY OF THREE WERE RETURNING FROM A VACATION IN FLORIDA. THEY MADE A FUEL STOP AT COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, THEN TRIED TO FLY NON-STOP FROM THERE TO KOKOMO, INDIANA. ABOUT 50 MILES SHORT OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND (AT NIGHT) IN A FIELD NEAR A RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION. HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A POWER LINE, THEN CRASHED INTO A GROVE OF TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8112T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090127
- Airframe hours: 2719
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chas. W. Beene, doing business as Lindale Air Service
- Registered owner: Charles W Beene
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 65 hours before
- Departed: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA
- Destination: OKK, KOKOMO, IN
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 37 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 18 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 19881010046129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881010046129A), Oct 10, 1988: Piper PA28181, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel 50 miles short of destination. Struck trees trying to land near a residential subdivision.

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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