# NTSB CHI91LA006: Piper PA-28-181, N8211C, Troy, MI, October 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1990, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Location: 42.6056° N, 83.1499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Troy, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6056&lon=-83.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA006

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE AIRPLANE LANDED ON THE EXTREME END OF THE TAKEOFF RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A CULVERT. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED ONE FUEL TANK CONTAINED ONE PINT OF FUEL (RIGHT) AND THE OTHER TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH IN IT (LEFT). THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED FOR THE 'RIGHT' FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8211C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8290137
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eximious Flying Club
- Departed: 3BB
- Airport: 3BB, Big Beaver Airport, runway 27, 2,400 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,020 total, 365 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 10 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 19901006044399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901006044399A), Oct 6, 1990: Piper PA28181, Troy, MI, Substantial damage. Took off on near empty tank and ran it dry. Landed on end runway. Ran off into culvert. Fuel in other tank.

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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