# NTSB CHI90DEE06: Piper PA 28 140, N5744F, Savanna, IL, June 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1990, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Savanna, IL
- Coordinates: 42.089569, -90.130676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0896&lon=-90.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEE06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14452/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEE06

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SUPPLY, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT FLEW A CROSS-COUNTRY CIRCUIT TO INCLUDE TWO TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS AT AN INTERMEDIATE FIELD. ON THE RETURN LEG, HE EXPERIENCED ENGINE STOPPAGE. HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE, WHICH RAN BRIEFLY, THEN QUIT AGAIN. FUEL PRESSURE READ ZERO PSI. FLIGHT TIME SINCE THE LAST REFUELING WAS 3.8 HOURS. ESTIMATED CRUISE ENDURANCE ON THE AVAILABLE FUEL WAS 4.0 HOURS, DISCOUNTING FUEL REQUIRED FOR GROUND OPERATION, TAKEOFF AND CLIMB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5744F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5744F-2000-01-12), registration cancelled 2000-01-12, S/N 28-25045 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28 140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25045
- Airframe hours: 6800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Janssen, Darrell, doing business as Freeport Air Service
- Registered owner: Darrell Jansen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1989, 55 hours before
- Departed: LNR, LONE ROCK, WI
- Destination: FEP, FREEPORT, IL
- Airport: SFY, Franklin U Stransky, runway 13, 2,950 × 60 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 10 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 19900624021989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900624021989A), Jun 24, 1990: Piper PA28140, Savanna, IL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Force landed in river and nosed over.

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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