# NTSB CHI92LA265: Piper PA-32-260, N5572J, Moran, MI, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1992, 19:30 local (Sep 5, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Moran, MI
- Coordinates: 46.039592, -84.899719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0396&lon=-84.8997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA265

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER SELECTION OF FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.  A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S ENCOUNTER WITH UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND SELECTED A FIELD FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  DURING TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.  SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT NO USABLE FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK SELECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5572J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5572J-1995-01-31), registration cancelled 1995-01-31, S/N 32988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-988
- Airframe hours: 3128
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bedour Construction, doing business as Great Lakes Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: 83D, ST. IGNACE, MI
- Destination: 83D

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 101 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIU, 40 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 19920904035449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920904035449A), Sep 4, 1992: Piper PA32260, Moran, MI, Substantial damage. Reported out of fuel on mayday call. Stall mushed into weed grown field. Fuel selector on empty tank. Others empty.

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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