# NTSB DEN83LA191: Piper PA-25C-235, N4394Y, Upham, ND, August 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1983, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Upham, ND
- Coordinates: 48.579494, -100.720352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5795&lon=-100.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA191

## 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 (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE DEPARTED SOURIS WITH APRX 17 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AND FLEW FOR 1 HOUR AT 500 FEET TO MANDAN, ND. HE DEPARTED MANDAN WITHOUT REFUELING AND FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. HE HAD FLOWN FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AT 500 FEET AGL WITH THE FUEL MISTURE LEANED FOR BEST ECONOMY. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT HANDBOOK THE ENGINE WILL CONSUME 15.5 GPH AT 75 PERCENT POWER AND 12.2 GPH AT 60 PERCENT CRUISE. THE ACFT LANDED IN A FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4394Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25C-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 254906
- Airframe hours: 2939
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Sjule
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 1983, 86 hours before
- Departed: Y19, MANDAN, ND
- Destination: NA07, SOURIS, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,611 total, 858 in this make and model, 1,611 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOT, 26 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 19830808041709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830808041709A), Aug 8, 1983: Piper PA25235, Upham, ND, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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.

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