# NTSB DEN89LA142: Piper PA28-180, N8419W, Broomfield, CO, June 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1989, 01:02 local (07:02 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.940464, -105.060302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9405&lon=-105.0603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA142

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO PROPERLY PLAN THE FLT RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS STUDENT PLT DEPARTED THE BROOMFIELD, CO AIRPORT LATE AT NIGHT, WITH 18 GALS OF FUEL ABOARD HIS ACFT, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN SOME NIGHT TIME FLT EXPERIENCE. AFTER FLYING ALMOST TWO HRS, AND WHILE ON APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE ACFT ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS, THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8419W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8419W-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 28-2646, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-180
- 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: 28-2646
- Airframe hours: 2501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hudec, Michael A.
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Airport: BJC, Jefferson County Airport, runway 29R, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 30 total, 4 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890620016309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890620016309A), Jun 20, 1989: Piper PA28180, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach during night time practice. Crash landed in a sports field complex.

## Other investigations on N8419W (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 DEN69D0110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0110), Oct 13, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N8419W), Albuquerque, NM, 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.

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