# NTSB CHI90LA247: Piper PA-28-181, N2842D, Fridley, MN, August 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1990, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Fridley, MN
- Coordinates: 45.100742, -93.249008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1007&lon=-93.2490&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 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA247

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BECAUSE OF FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS MIS-JUDGED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND A RAILROAD SIGN.

## 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 (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

AFTER OVER 4 HOURS OF CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED BETWEEN TWO RAILROAD TRACKS RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A SIGN. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIOIN REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS TO BE EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2842D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2842D), registered now, S/N 28-7990488, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990488
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phoenix Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: SUS, CHESTERFIELD, MO
- Destination: MIC, CRYSTAL, MN
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 108 total, 14 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900829037149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900829037149A), Aug 29, 1990: Piper PA28181, Fridley, MN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Crashed trying to land on a railroad gravel area between tracks.

## Other investigations on N2842D (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 IAD05LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA093), Jul 2, 2005: Piper PA-28-181 (N2842D), Columbus, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. A factor was the night lighting conditions.

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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