# NTSB CHI93LA030: Piper PA-28-180, N15609, Mankato, MN, November 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1992, 18:25 local (Nov 12, 1992, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Mankato, MN
- Coordinates: 44.159294, -93.989723 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1593&lon=-93.9897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SELECT A PROPER FUEL SELECTOR POSITION.

## 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 - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - 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)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN AN EXTENDED TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND AT THE CONCLUSION OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE COUGHED AND BEGAN WINDMILLING.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED POWER LINES.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED ON THE LEFT TANK WHICH CONTAINED 12 GALLONS OF FUEL.  THE RIGHT TANK WAS SEVERED BY THE POWER LINES AND FOUND EMPTY. A DEPUTY WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE JUST AFTER THE ACCIDENT STATED IT DID NOT APPEAR AS THOUGH ANY FUEL HAD DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT TANK.  THE PILOT STATED HE TOOK OFF ON THE LEFT TANK, SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT AFTER APRX 1 HOUR, THEN SWITCHED BACK TO THE LEFT APRX 8 MILES FROM LANDING.  THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT, NEXT TO THE SELECTOR, STATED THE PILOT ONLY SWITCHED TANKS ONCE DURING THE FLIGHT.  THE LOCATION OF BLOOD SPLATTERS AND A PUNCTURE MARK ON THE FUEL SELECTOR SUGGEST THE SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT TANK WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15609](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15609-2011-05-26), registration cancelled 2011-05-26, S/N 28-7305096, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-7305096
- Airframe hours: 2480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Northstar Aviation
- Registered owner: Gene D. Pinto
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 2000, 33 hours before
- Departed: MBY, MOBERLY, MO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 625 total, 250 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKT, 1 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 19921111050349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921111050349A), Nov 11, 1992: Piper PA28180, Mankato, MN, Substantial damage. Lost power on extended final. Struck powerline landing on road. Open fields in area. Right fuel tank was 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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