# NTSB CHI99LA044: Piper PA-28-181, N36700, Mason, MI, December 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 1998, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Mason, MI - Coordinates: 42.580043, -84.440444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5800&lon=-84.4404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45378/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA044 ## Probable cause the pilot's inattention to fuel management in that he failed to switch fuel tanks in a timely manner which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor related to the accident was the low altitude at which the loss of engine power occurred. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel management - inattentive, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported the engine lost power while in the traffic pattern after having flown two hours. The airplane was landed in a field during which time the right main landing gear collapsed. Post accident inspection revealed the left fuel tank was full of fuel and the right fuel tank was empty. A post accident test run of the engine failed to reveal any anomalies. The pilot reported that he did not switch fuel tanks in a timely manner during the flight. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 1998, at 1650 eastern standard time, a Piper PA- 28-181, N36700, operated by a private pilot collided with the terrain during an off airport forced landing 2 miles east of the Jewett Airport, Mason, Michigan. The pilot reported the forced landing was a result of a loss of engine power. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated from Muskegon, Michigan. The pilot departed Mason, Michigan, at 1445 est and flew to Muskegon, Michigan, where he made a touch and go landing prior to heading back to Mason. The pilot reported that while at 1,800 feet, on base leg for landing on runway 27 at the Jewett Airport, the engine lost power. The pilot landed the airplane in an open field during which time the right main landing gear collapsed. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the right fuel tank was empty and the left fuel tank was full. The airplane had been refueled prior to departing Mason, Michigan. The hobbs time at departure was 3260.5 and the hobbs time noted at the accident site was 3262.5. Each fuel tank holds 24 gallons of usable fuel. According to an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Belleville, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), this airplane uses approximately 10.5 gallons per hour. The airplane was removed from the accident site and the engine was started using the left fuel tank. He reported, "Although high power was not attempted, the engine ran satisfactorily." In a written statement to the FAA, the pilot stated, "I believe that the right fuel tank was not switched in a timely manner which led to the fuel starvation to the engine and the eventual forced landing." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36700](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36700), registered now, S/N 28-7890526, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7890526 - Airframe hours: 5079 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aerogenesis Flt Training Acdmy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1998, 28 hours before - Departed: MKG, MUSKEGON, MI - Destination: TEW ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TEW, 2 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 19981201044069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981201044069A), Dec 1, 1998: Piper PA28181, Mason, MI, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 1, 1998, at 1626 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N36700, operated by a private pilot collided with the terrain during an off… ## Other investigations on N36700 (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 CHI80FEC07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEC07), Dec 21, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N36700), Owosso, MI, 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.