# NTSB DEN89FA127: Piper PA-28-180, N8213W, Wilmington, OH, May 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 22:20 local (May 30, 1989, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, OH
- Coordinates: 39.44025, -83.830413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4402&lon=-83.8304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA127

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY AND HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL EN ROUTE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

TWO PVT RATED PLTS AND TWO PAX DEPARTED MYRTLE BCH AT APPROX 1800. THEIR DESTINATION WAS APPROX 415 NM AND THE MAG HEADING WAS APPROX 324 DEGREES. THE WINDS ALOFT AT THE CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 8,500 FT WERE 290 DEGS AT 25 KTS. THE CALCULATED GROUNDSPEED WAS 83 KTS. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED WITH 50 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT APPROX 2220, ABOUT .5 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE POST CRASH EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED 10 OUNCES OF FUEL IN EACH WING FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8213W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8213W-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 28-2346, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-2346
- Airframe hours: 1508
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: T. Kroger  & D. Keethler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1988, 53 hours before
- Departed: CRE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: I66
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 112 total, 89 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 35 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 19890529013089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890529013089A), May 29, 1989: Piper PA28180, Wilmington, OH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Over gross and head wind led to fuel exhaustion a half mile on final for airport. Struck unseen tree line in dark.

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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