# NTSB CHI90LA113: Piper PA-22-108, N4698Z, Franklin, IN, April 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1990, 23:15 local (Apr 18, 1990, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, IN
- Coordinates: 39.490661, -86.049545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4907&lon=-86.0495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION IN CHOOSING TO CONTINUE FLIGHT TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WITHOUT REFUELING. THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, AND A KNOWN INTERMITTENT RADIO PROBLEM WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment - unreliable (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO REACH HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, BUT DURING ARRIVAL, HE HAD TO CIRCLE IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT, WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE PILOT CONTROLLED RUNWAY LIGHTING SYSTEM. THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, WHILE HE CIRCLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND DURING A FORCED LANDING. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPORT LIGHTS REVEALED THAT THEY WERE CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT'S RADIOS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4698Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4698Z-1990-11-13), registration cancelled 1990-11-13, S/N 228238 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8238
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jim L. Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LBO, LEBANON, MO
- Destination: 3FK, FRANKLIN, IN
- Airport: 3FK, Franklin Flying Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 280 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900417009549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900417009549A), Apr 17, 1990: Piper PA22108, Franklin, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel circling airport while trying to activate runway lights for night landing. Struck a tree. Crashed.

## Other investigations on N4698Z (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 CHI74DEA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74DEA22), Dec 1, 1973: Piper PA-22 (N4698Z), Francisco, IN, 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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