# NTSB DEN85LA129: Piper PA-28-181, N3067L, Tucumcari, NM, May 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1985, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Tucumcari, NM
- Coordinates: 35.159801, -103.719459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1598&lon=-103.7195&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): 16673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA129

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A TREE AND A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A LOSS OF PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE RIGHT FUEL GAGE REPORTEDLY INDICATED 6-8 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK WHEN 50 MILES FROM TUCUMCARI MUNICIPAL ARPT. THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS 'APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES OUT,' WHEN HE NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF FUEL ON THE FUEL GAGE AND THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED TO 'NIL' FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR. THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN A FIELD APRX 1 1/2 MILES SHORT OF THE RWY. TOTAL TIME OF THE FLT WAS 4 HRS 15 MINUTES. THE ACFT USABLE FUEL CAPACITY IS 48 GALLONS AND THE OPERATING MANUAL STATES THE ACFT USES APRX 10 GPH IN CRUISE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3067L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990262
- Airframe hours: 1863
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kimo C. Van Courtney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FORT SMITH, AR
- Destination: TCC, TUCUMCARI, NM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 116 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850506018359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850506018359A), May 6, 1985: Piper PA28181, Tucumcari, NM, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel short of runway. Impacted tree and culvert during landing.

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.