# NTSB CHI90LA169: Piper PA28-151, N33332, Aurora, IL, July 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1990, 21:00 local (Jul 9, 1990, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, IL
- Coordinates: 41.770366, -88.359199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7704&lon=-88.3592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA169

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - single engine aircraft
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

ON CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, PILOT EXPERIENCED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE 12 MILES FROM FLIGHT PLANNED DESTINATION. ATC PROVIDED VECTOR TO NEAREST AIRFIELD, BUT PILOT LANDED IN SOFT FIELD 1.5 MILES FROM FIELD. AIRCRAFT SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. NO INJURIES TO PILOT OR HIS TWO PASSENGERS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED RIGHT FUEL TANK EMPTY. APPROXIMATELY 1.0 PINT OF FUEL DRAINED FROM LEFT TANK. PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE THIS TRIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH AMOUNT OF FUEL HE HAD ON BOARD AT TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33332](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33332-1991-02-01), registration cancelled 1991-02-01, S/N 287515310 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7515310
- Airframe hours: 2823
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lumanair, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1990, 14 hours before
- Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 169 total, 29 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 12 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 19900708024859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900708024859A), Jul 8, 1990: Piper PA28151, Aurora, IL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel approaching destination airport. Crashed, landed in soft dirt field.

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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