# NTSB CHI97LA297: Piper PA-28, N6421R, Indianapolis, IN, September 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 1997, 10:28 local (15:28 UTC) - Place: Indianapolis, IN - Coordinates: 39.730785, -86.290794 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7308&lon=-86.2908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10705/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA297 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision and failure to refuel the airplane in a timely manner, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A related factor was: trees in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis En route to his intended destination, the pilot realized that his fuel state was low. While diverting to another airport, the airplane sustained a loss of engine power. The pilot switched tanks in an attempt to restore power to the engine; however, the engine did not restart. The pilot was conducting a forced landing when the airplane struck trees and the terrain. A postaccident examination of the airplane disclosed only unusable fuel. No leaks were found. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 1997, at 1028 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6421R, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing about one mile northeast of the Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis, Indiana, when the airplane impacted trees and the terrain. The private pilot received serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Angola, New York, with the intended destination of Terre Haute, Indiana. The pilot stated that the departure time was 0730 eastern standard time. The pilot stated that his preflight planning indicated enough fuel to reach his destination; however, en route he realized that his fuel state was lower than planned and he decided to land short of his intended destination. Six miles from the airport, the pilot declared an emergency and reported he was out of fuel. He said that he switched fuel tanks in an attempt to regain engine power, but was unsuccessful. The pilot reported he was attempting to land in a grass area between runways 23L and 23R; however, the airplane contacted trees short of that area. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors reported finding only unusable fuel in the tanks of the airplane after the accident. No leaks were evident and no other preexisting anomalies were revealed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6421R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6421R-2000-01-08), registration cancelled 2000-01-08, S/N 28-21600 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-21600 - Airframe hours: 2850 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald L. Atlee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1997, 20 hours before - Departed: D22, ANGOLA, NY - Destination: IND, TERRE HAUTE, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 211 total, 100 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KIN, 1 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 19970918027209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970918027209A), Sep 18, 1997: Piper PA28140, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach and crashed in a field northeast of the airport. (-23) fuel starvation approximately 4-5 miles from Indianapolis International… 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.