# NTSB CHI98LA004: Piper PA-28R-200, N1092X, Nebraska City, NE, October 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 1997, 19:45 local (Oct 2, 1997, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Nebraska City, NE - Coordinates: 40.669319, -95.860221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6693&lon=-95.8602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10756/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA004 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel slector to a tank which contained only unusable fuel. ## 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 - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The airplane had a total loss of engine power, and the pilot made a forced landing to a corn field. On inspection, the fuel selector was found positioned to the left tank which contained only unusable fuel. The right fuel tank was nearly full. When the selector was moved to the right tank the engine started and ran. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 1997, at 1945 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N1092X, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing following a total loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Iowa City, Iowa, at 1725 with the intended destination of Nebraska City, Nebraska. The pilot stated that the engine lost power and he conducted a forced landing in a corn field. He made no statement as to the location of the fuel selector and did not indicate that he changed it from one tank to another prior to the loss of power. On inspection of the airplane the fuel in the right fuel tank was close to the top of the filler. The left tank was found to have only unusable fuel. On initial inspection the fuel selector was found on the left tank position. The Federal Aviation Administration Maintenance Inspector who inspected the wreckage reported he opened the fuel gascolator drain which the fuel tank selector still on the left tank and no fuel came out. When the selector was positioned to the right tank fuel ran out of the gascolator drain. The inspector's statement is attached to this report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1092X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1092X), registered now, S/N 28R-7535230, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7535230 - Airframe hours: 5608 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Iowa City Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 19, 1997, 9 hours before - Departed: IOW, IOWA CITY, IA - Destination: AKF, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 317 total, 20 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OFF, 37 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 19971001040849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971001040849A), Oct 1, 1997: Piper PA28R200, Nebraska City, NE, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane had a total loss of engine power, and the pilot made a forced landing to a corn field. On inspection, the fuel selector was found positioned… ## Other investigations on N1092X (1) 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 LAX82FVW03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVW03), Apr 18, 1982: Piper PA-28R-200 (N1092X), Las Vegas, NV, 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.