# NTSB CHI90DET01: Piper PA-24-250, N5483P, Decatur, IN, November 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1989, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IN
- Coordinates: 40.830894, -84.919692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8309&lon=-84.9197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DET01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DET01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY, INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND HIS IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED BEING LOW ON FUEL AND REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT DURING THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED 15 MILES SHORT OF THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE INITIAL FUEL QUANTITY AT TAKEOFF AND FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE HIGHER EN ROUTE POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5483P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5483P-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 24-543, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-543
- Airframe hours: 1892
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Philip Railsback
- Registered owner: FAA Flying Club Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1989, 93 hours before
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC
- Destination: FWA, FORT WAYNE, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 345 total, 22 in this make and model, 242 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19891123046449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891123046449A), Nov 23, 1989: Piper PA24250, Decatur, IN, Substantial damage. VFR pilot departed IFR into known icing and without ascertaining full fuel. Ran out on vectors to airport. Crashed.

## Other investigations on N5483P (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 CHI67F0576](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0576), Apr 5, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N5483P), Ann Arbor, MI, 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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