# NTSB CHI93LA252: Piper PA-28-181, N1630H, Senter, MI, July 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1993, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Senter, MI
- Coordinates: 47.109283, -88.560577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1093&lon=-88.5606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA252

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT ARE FUEL EXHAUSTION, UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING, AS WELL AS AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE AT CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT 'RAN OUT OF GAS 10 MILES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT AND CRASHED INTO THICK WOODS.'  THE PILOT IN COMMAND INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER.  ON SITE INVESTIGATION FOUND NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS, AND POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRFRAME, ENGINE OR ACCESSORIES.

## Factual narrative

On July 10, 1993, approximately 1145 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Piper, PA28; N1630H, sustained substantial damage when it experienced total loss of engine power, stalled above some trees, and then fell through the trees to the ground.  The private pilot received minor injuries, while the three passengers were uninjured.  The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions with a VFR flight plan on file.

The flight departed Berz Macomb at 0830 EDT en route to Houghton County Memorial Airport, Houghton, Michigan.  The pilot reported "I ran out of gas 10 miles short of the airport and crashed into thick woods.  This was not a mechanical malfunction."

On site investigation revealed there was no fuel in the fuel tanks.  Post-accident examination revealed no evidence of pre- impact mechanical malfunction with the airframe, engine or accessories.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1630H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1630H-2012-07-19), registration cancelled 2012-07-19, S/N 28-7790317, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7790317
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Berz Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Berz Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UIZ, UTICA, MI
- Destination: CMX, HANCOCK, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 214 total, 50 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMX, 10 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 19930710023089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930710023089A), Jul 10, 1993: Piper PA28181, Senter, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel 10 miles short of destination. Stalled into trees.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.