# NTSB CHI90LA127: Piper PA-28-181, N6382C, Anderson, IN, May 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1990, 22:15 local (May 12, 1990, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Anderson, IN
- Coordinates: 40.129138, -85.760276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1291&lon=-85.7603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA127

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO SELECT THE FUEL VALVE TO A TANK CONTAINING USABLE FUEL RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON A DARK NIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT WITH ONE PASSENGER WAS RETURNING FROM A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP. NEAR THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT, A TOTAL POWER LOSS OF THE ENGINE WAS EXPERIENCED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED AT THE INTENDED LANDING AIRPORT; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN TREES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK, WHICH CONTAINED NO USABLE FUEL; HOWEVER, THE LEFT TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6382C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6382C-1990-08-13), registration cancelled 1990-08-13, S/N 287890369 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890369
- Airframe hours: 1328
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anderson Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SIV, SULLIVAN, IN
- Destination: AID, ANDERSON, IN
- Airport: AID, Anderson Muni., runway 30, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 5 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIE, 13 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 19900511015649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900511015649A), May 11, 1990: Piper PA28181, Anderson, IN, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry then tried restart but failed to switch to full tank. Crashed into trees short of airport.

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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