# NTSB CHI91LA028: Piper PA-24-250, N6981P, Oswego, KS, November 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1990, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Oswego, KS
- Coordinates: 37.159324, -95.110359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1593&lon=-95.1104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA028

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR 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, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND, THE PLT SAID HE WAS TOO HIGH AND PROCEEDED TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. SHORTLY AFTER, THE AIRPLANE LOST POWER AND AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED IN A SOFT, MUDDY FARM FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BY THE FAA REVEALED THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR TO BE ON AN EMPTY TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6981P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6981P), registered now, S/N 24-2124, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2124
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hetherington, John R
- Departed: H66, NOWATA, OK
- Destination: K67

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 300 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CNU

## 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 19901111049759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901111049759A), Nov 11, 1990: Piper PA24250, Oswego, KS, Substantial damage. Too high and fast for landing . Began go around. Engine quit. Crash landed off runway. Fuel selector on empty 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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