# NTSB CHI92LA243: Piper PA-24-250, N5749P, Owosso, MI, August 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1992, 19:58 local (23:58 UTC)
- Place: Owosso, MI
- Coordinates: 42.990631, -84.16941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9906&lon=-84.1694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA243

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PILOT HAVING SELECTED THE WRONG FUEL TANK. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE POOR AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT AND THE UNRELIABLE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY AS THERE WERE TREES AND HOUSES ALONG THE APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED POWERLINES ALONG THE ROAD AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK (TANK WHICH WAS SELECTED) WAS EMPTY AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS 1/2 FULL. THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS SHOWED THE RIGHT TANK FULL AND THE LEFT TANK JUST ABOVE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5749P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5749P-1995-02-21), registration cancelled 1995-02-21, S/N 24824 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-824
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert M. Gute
- Registered owner: Robert M. Gute
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1992, 1 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 17 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 19920815031499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920815031499A), Aug 15, 1992: Piper PA24250, Owosso, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach. Struck wires on forced landing. Selector on empty tank that showed full on gauge.

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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