# NTSB CHI89LA094: Piper PA-28-161, N8267Z, Houghton, MI, May 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1989, 03:30 local (09:30 UTC)
- Place: Houghton, MI
- Coordinates: 47.240512, -88.450851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2405&lon=-88.4509&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 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA094

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM LACK OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: OBSTRUCTIONS (ROAD SIGN & GUARD RAIL) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - sign
  - object - wall/barricade

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A SIGN AND A GUARD RAIL AS THE PLT WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD. HE TOLD OFFICIALS THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4.6 HOURS OF FLIGHT. THIS CONCLUSION WAS SUPPORTED BY THE ABSENCE OF FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8267Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8267Z-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 28-8116042, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-816042
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Westwind Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 09G, MASON, MI
- Destination: CMX, HOUGHTON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMX

## 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 19890521014019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521014019A), May 21, 1989: Piper PA28161, Houghton, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route during forced landing on a lighted road. Collided with a sign and a guard rail.

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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