# NTSB CHI94LA207: Piper PA-28R-200, N4572X, Lake Station, IN, June 21, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1994, 12:24 local (17:24 UTC)
- Place: Lake Station, IN
- Coordinates: 41.570117, -87.260765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5701&lon=-87.2608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA207

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's inattention to the fuel supply.  A factor was rough and uneven terrain.

## 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
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED FT. MEADE, MARYLAND, AT 0822 EASTERN STANDARD TIME, WITH THE INTENDED DESTINATION OF GARY, INDIANA.  AT 1219 THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. A FORCED LANDING WAS PLANNED ON A FREEWAY OFF-RAMP; HOWEVER, DUE TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC THE LANDING WAS MADE ADJACENT TO THE RAMP IN ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. INSPECTION REVEALED ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS.  NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM WERE FOUND.

## Factual narrative

On June 21, 1994, at 1224 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R- 200, N4572X, registered to James A. Katra of Columbia, Maryland, and piloted by an instrument rated private pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power and was substantially damaged during a forced landing.  The pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  An IFR flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Ft. Meade, Maryland, at 0822, with the intended destination of Gary, Indiana.

At 1219 the pilot of N4572X reported to the Chicago O'Hare Approach Control of the Federal Aviation Administration, "Chicago approach arrow four five seven two x-ray, I'm uh out of fuel and I can't get the other one started."

The pilot stated that after the engine quit he planned a forced landing on a freeway off-ramp, but on approach a truck entered the ramp.  The landing was made adjacent to the ramp on rough, uneven terrain.

An examination of the fuel system subsequent to the accident, revealed only unusable fuel in the tanks.  No leaks in the fuel system were found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4572X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7635080
- Airframe hours: 1584
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Katra, James A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1993, 29 hours before
- Departed: FME, FT MEADE, MD
- Destination: GYY, GARY, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 954 total, 308 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 8 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 19940621015849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940621015849A), Jun 21, 1994: Piper PA28R200, Lake Station, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Tried land on freeway ramp blocked by truck. Landed adjacent rough terrain.

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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