# NTSB CHI94LA019: Piper PA-28-151, N8339C, Allendale, MI, October 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1993, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Allendale, MI
- Coordinates: 42.980655, -85.949066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9807&lon=-85.9491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA019

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AFTER ENCOUNTERING UNFAVORABLE WINDS AND A LOW FUEL LEVEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRONGER WINDS THAN HE HAD EXPECTED DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  HE WAS 20 MINUTES PAST HIS ESTIMATED TIME EN ROUTE, WHEN HE WAS STILL 50 MILES SHORT OF HIS INTENDED DESTINATION.  HE STATED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STOPPED, WHEN BOTH FUEL GAUGES READ ZERO.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A RURAL ROAD.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A STEEL REINFORCED MAIL BOX DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Factual narrative

On October 6, 1993, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N8339C, sustained substantial damage when it struck a steel mail box during landing roll on a rural road near Allendale, Michigan, after a forced landing.  The pilot reported a total loss of engine power.  The private pilot and the three passengers aboard the airplane were not injured.  The personal flight originated at Mackinac Island, Michigan, with an intended destination of Riverview Airport, Jenison, Michigan.

The pilot reported he encountered winds stronger than he had planned for, and the flight was longer than his estimated time en route.  He stated he was still short of his destination when both fuel gauges read zero and the engine began to sputter.  In the pilot/operator report he said the accident could have been prevented if he had located another airport for refueling earlier.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8339C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8339C), registered now, S/N 28-7615089, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7615089
- Airframe hours: 3728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry G. Andrew
- Registered owner: Delta Aircraft Rentals
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 27, 1993, 112 hours before
- Departed: Y84, MACKINAC ISLAND, MI
- Destination: 08C, JENISON, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 8 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 20 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 19931006042419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931006042419A), Oct 6, 1993: Piper PA28151, Allendale, MI, Substantial damage. Headwinds. Low on fuel. Struck a steel mailbox landing on a road. Fuel gauge registered 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.

---
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.