# NTSB CHI94LA096: Piper PA-28-180, N3592R, Lindsborg, KS, March 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 2, 1994, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Lindsborg, KS - Coordinates: 38.569896, -97.669456 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5699&lon=-97.6695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9475/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA096 ## Probable cause was the pilot-in-command's failure to refuel the airplane during the flight. Factors were fuel exhaustion, the sign, and the pilot-in-command's lack of total experience in type of airplane. ## 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) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS SEVERAL TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN ENGINE POWER AND RESORTED TO A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD, WHERE THE WING STRUCK A SIGN. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANKS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THAT HE HAD FIVE HOURS OF FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT, BUT AFTER 4.4 HOURS ON THE HOBBS METER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. ## Factual narrative On March 2, 1994, at 1445 central standard time, a Piper PA-28- 180, N3592R, registered to Sky-Breeze Aviation, Inc., of Lubbock, Texas, and operated by a private pilot, experienced a loss of engine power, followed by a forced landing on a road in LIndsborg, Kansas. The airplane sustained substantial damage on landing. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was on file for the flight from Lubbock, Texas departing about 1045 with the intended destination of Salina, Kansas. The pilot indicated that he expected the to have five hours of fuel on board the airplane. He stated that after 4.4 hours on the hobbs meter the engine lost power and he conducted a forced landing on a highway where the wing of the airplane struck a road marker. Post accident inspection revealed only unusable fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3592R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3592R), registered now, S/N 28-5705, built 1969 (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: 28-5705 - Airframe hours: 6840 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky-Breeze Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1993, 180 hours before - Departed: F82, LUBBOCK, TX - Destination: SLN, SALINA, KS - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 5 in this make and model, 92 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SLN, 12 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 19940302003449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940302003449A), Mar 2, 1994: Piper PA28180, Lindsborg, KS, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Wing struck a road marker landing on a road. Only unusable fuel on board. ## Other investigations on N3592R (4) 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. - [NTSB CHI78FEV36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEV36), May 26, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N3592R), Palestine, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW77F0G27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77F0G27), May 21, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N3592R), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW74DQG68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DQG68), Jun 15, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N3592R), Shallowater, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC70DCG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70DCG02), Jan 21, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N3592R), Olathe, KS, substantial damage 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.