# NTSB CHI98LA139: Piper PA-28R-200, N75306, East Hannibal, IL, May 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 1998, 15:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: East Hannibal, IL - Coordinates: 39.929111, -91.380691 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9291&lon=-91.3807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10864 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10864/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA139 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and his improper in-flight planning/decision. A factor was fuel exhaustion. ## 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 - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot indicated that he believed that the flight would be in VMC conditions for most of the flight; however, he said that for most of the flight he encountered IMC conditions. He was held prior to his initial approach for 20 minutes. On the initial approach he missed and returned to the VOR. At this point he realized that he needed to find an alternate airport and while searching for one exhausted all usable fuel. A forced landing was made to a field where on landing the airplane sustained substantial damage. Subsequent to the accident, no usable fuel remained in the fuel tanks. No mechanical anomalies were discovered. There was no evidence of fuel leaks, stains, and the fuel caps were intact and serviceable. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 1998, at 1525 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N75306, registered to a corporation, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing about three-quarters of a mile east of East Hannibal, Illinois. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The pilot told police that the forced landing was due to fuel exhaustion. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Hazard, Kentucky, on an IFR flight plan, at 0940, with the intended destination of Quincy, Illinois. The pilot had cancelled IFR and was proceeding VFR at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot indicated that he expected VFR conditions to exist en route and at his destination; however, he said that he encountered IMC conditions, "... for most of the trip." He indicated that he departed on the trip with full fuel tanks. He said that he was caused to hold for 20 minutes prior to initiating an approach (VOR 22) at Quincy. He said that he missed on the initial approach and returned to the VOR. He said at this point he realized that an alternate landing site had to be found. He said that while looking for a site, the engine lost power and he landed off the airport in a field. The pilot's figures indicate that the airplane operated for 5 hours and 45 minutes from the takeoff to the forced landing. Emergency response personnel said that the pilot reported to them that the forced landing was due to fuel exhaustion. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed no usable fuel in either fuel tank. No other mechanical anomalies were found. No leaks or fuel stains were found on the airplane or under the tanks. The fuel caps were intact and the gaskets did not indicate deterioration. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75306](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75306-1998-11-05), registration cancelled 1998-11-05, S/N 28R7635290 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7635290 - Airframe hours: 6768 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Baylor, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1997, 135 hours before - Departed: K20, HAZARD, KY - Destination: UIN, QUINCY, IL - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 99 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: UIN, 16 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 19980503008349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980503008349A), May 3, 1998: Piper PA28R200, Hannibal, IL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on IFR flight plan. (.4)the pilot indicated that he believed that the flight would be in VMC conditions for most of the flight; however, he… 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.