# NTSB CHI98LA235: Piper PA-22-108, N5181Z, Spearfish, SD, July 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1998, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Spearfish, SD - Coordinates: 44.480125, -103.839134 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4801&lon=-103.8391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43078 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43078/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA235 ## Probable cause the pilots improper preflight planning, which failed to detect the fuel selector positioned on the left fuel tank, which had insufficient fuel, resulting in fuel starvation, and the loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane suffered a partial loss of engine power. The pilot conducted a forced landing; however, impacted trees and the terrain during the descent. The pilot told a physician that the airplane suffered a loss of about 70% power and later told his attorney that the airplane suffered fuel exhaustion. An examination of the airplane subsequent to the accident revealed no mechanical anomalies other than those associated with impact. Emergency responders and Federal Aviation Administration inspectors were on site within two hours of the accident. They did not find any fuel leaking from the airplane and did not smell fuel. An examination of the left fuel tank found only unusable fuel. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1998, at 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA22, N5181Z, sustained substantial damage during impact with the terrain approximately 5 miles south of Spearfish Airport, Spearfish, South Dakota. The pilot received fatal injuries. The passenger reported minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was on file. The flight originated in Spearfish, South Dakota, about 1030, and was en route to Cheyenne, Wyoming The passenger was a non-pilot and said that he remembered the airplane being buffeted around and descending into the trees. The pilot survived the accident and succumbed later in the hospital. Emergency responders and FAA inspectors were on site within two hours of the accident and said that there was no smell of fuel nor did they find any fuel leaking from the wreckage. The left fuel tank was intact and contained only unusable fuel. The fuel selector was found selected to the left fuel tank. An inspection of the airplane subsequent to the accident failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies other than those associated with ground impact. The carburetor had some fuel in it and no water was found. Magnetos produced sparks on all plugs. A compression check was performed on cylinders and all had thumb compression. The left fuel was filled with water and a small leak was noted by the drain plug which was associated with impact damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5181Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5181Z-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 22-8848, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-8848 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harley Opperman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SPF, SD - Destination: CYS, CHEYENNE, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RAP, 38 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 19980701015829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980701015829A), Jul 1, 1998: Piper PA22108, Spearfish, SD, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Acft engine lost power on climbout and pilot made an emerg landing, Spearfish, SD. (.4)the airplane suffered a partial loss of engine power. The pilot… 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.