# NTSB DFW07CA202: Piper PA-24-180, N6017P, Taylor, TX, September 17, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2007, 22:30 local (Sep 17, 2007, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Taylor, TX - Coordinates: 30.570278, -97.439163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5703&lon=-97.4392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 66686 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66686/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA202 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the dark night. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - fuel consumption calculations - not calculated, pilot in command - fuel system - misjudged, pilot in command - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 2,000-hour private pilot reported that his single-engine airplane lost power while at altitude of 8,000 feet MSL during a night VFR flight. As a precaution, the pilot elected to initiate the descent to his destination airport after successfully restarting the engine. While descending to the airport, the engine lost power a second time and the pilot elected to perform a gear-up forced landing to an open field 2 nautical miles north east of his intended destination. Additionally, the pilot noted that the right fuel gauge indicated one-fourth full and the left fuel gauge indicated an unknown low amount of fuel. The airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. The 3 occupants reported that they were able to egress from the airplane unassisted. Having flown this route multiple times, the pilot stated that he always landed with 45 minutes of fuel in reserve. The pilot added that the fuel gauges on his airplane were usually accurate and he was unaware of his low fuel condition until after the engine lost power the second time. The FAA investigators that responded to the accident site reported that both the left and right fuel tanks had been exhausted. Weather at the destination airport 5 minutes after the mishap was reported as calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles, with clear skies, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.08 inches of Mercury. ## Factual narrative The 2,000-hour private pilot reported that his single-engine airplane lost power while at altitude of 8,000 feet MSL during a night VFR flight. As a precaution, the pilot elected to initiate the descent to his destination airport after successfully restarting the engine. While descending to the airport, the engine lost power a second time and the pilot elected to perform a gear-up forced landing to an open field 2 nautical miles north east of his intended destination. Additionally, the pilot noted that the right fuel gauge indicated one-fourth full and the left fuel gauge indicated an unknown low amount of fuel. The airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. The 3 occupants reported that they were able to egress from the airplane unassisted. Having flown this route multiple times, the pilot stated that he always landed with 45 minutes of fuel in reserve. The pilot added that the fuel gauges on his airplane were usually accurate and he was unaware of his low fuel condition until after the engine lost power the second time. The FAA investigators that responded to the accident site reported that both the left and right fuel tanks had been exhausted. Weather at the destination airport 5 minutes after the mishap was reported as calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles, with clear skies, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.08 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6017P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6017P-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 24-1112, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (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: 24-1112 - Airframe hours: 3830 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles D. Wiseman - Registered owner: Charles D. & Heath E. Wiseman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2006 - Departed: 81N2, Greenwood, IN - Destination: Taylor, TX - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: T74, Taylor Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review December 1, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: T74 ## Other investigations on N6017P (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 SEA99LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA070), May 23, 1999: Piper PA-24-180 (N6017P), Hillsboro, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loose alternator drive belt, and the flight crew's decision to continue flight with a known electrical system deficiency, resulting in disabling of the aircraft electrical system and landing with… 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.