# NTSB CHI95LA154: Piper PA-28-140, N56523, Kalkaska, MI, May 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 1995, 08:10 local (12:10 UTC) - Place: Kalkaska, MI - Coordinates: 44.730415, -85.169952 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7304&lon=-85.1700&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 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9888/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA154 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's poor preflight and inflight planning and decisions. Factors were the powerlines and the 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 - normal - fuel system - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS FUEL SUPPLY WAS EXHAUSTED DUE TO A STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED HEADWIND, AND HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. HE CONFIGURED THE AIRPLANE FOR LANDING AND ESTABLISHED A GLIDEPATH. HE DISCOVERED POWERLINES ACROSS HIS PLANNED GLIDEPATH AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO OVER FLY THE POWERLINES. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 1995, at 0810 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N56523, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Kalkaska, Michigan. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a planned destination of East Port, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that his fuel supply was exhausted and he attempted to land on a road. He configured the airplane for landing and established a glidepath. He discovered powerlines across his planned glide path, and stalled the airplane when he attempted to over fly the powerlines. The pilot reported that he calculated the required fuel for the flight. In his written statement he reported that he encountered "stronger than anticipated headwinds at flight altitude" and made an "incorrect estimate of fuel on board as well as actual fuel consumption." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the wreckage, reported that both fuel tanks were empty. He reported no evidence of preimpact airframe or mechanical engine malfunction. The inspector reported that the airplane was last refueled in East Port, Michigan, the night before the accident. According to the inspector, a witness reported that the left tank was topped off and the right tank was filled up to the tab. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56523](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56523-1996-03-09), registration cancelled 1996-03-09, S/N 287325649 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7325649 - Airframe hours: 4400 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bel Aero, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1995, 17 hours before - Departed: ARB, ANN ARBOR, MI - Destination: Y94, EAST PORT, MI - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 332 total, 186 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TVC, 270 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 19950519012229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950519012229A), May 19, 1995: Piper PA28140, Calkaska, MI, Substantial damage. Elected to continue flight low on fuel due fuel stop not open. Ran out of fuel. (-23) see narrative #CHI95LA154. 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.