# NTSB CHI93LA079: Piper PA-24, N5322P, Buffalo, MO, January 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1993, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, MO
- Coordinates: 37.639274, -93.090324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6393&lon=-93.0903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ENROUTE FROM PONTIAC, MICHIGAN TO SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. APPROXIMATELY 30 NM NORTHEAST OF SPRINGFIELD HE RADIOED TO SPRINGFIELD APPROACH HE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS AND WANTED DIRECTIONS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. HE WAS GIVEN A VECTOR TO THE BUFFALO AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED ABOUT 1/2 MILE SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS, GASCOLATOR, OR ON THE GROUND AROUND THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5322P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5322P-1998-03-16), registration cancelled 1998-03-16, S/N 24365 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-365
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lee, Albert E.
- Registered owner: Lee, Albert E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,666 total, 96 in this make and model, 1,609 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 27 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 19930127001119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930127001119A), Jan 27, 1993: Piper PA24250, Buffalo, MO, Substantial damage. Engine problems near destination. Vectored to HI7. Hit trees quarter mile short. Fuel tanks were 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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