# NTSB ERA09CA314: Piper PA-22, N4824A, Aurora, WV, May 31, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2009, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Aurora, WV - Coordinates: 39.341388, -79.615837 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3414&lon=-79.6158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73939/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73939 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA314 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preparation which resulted in a low fuel condition requiring an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed from Suffolk, Virginia, at about 1105, with full fuel tanks, en route to Elkins, West Virginia (EKN). While en route at about 6,000 feet above ground level, he encountered weather over the mountains which prevented him from continuing direct to EKN under visual meteorological conditions. At that time he chose to fly north, up the valley, in hopes of finding a break in the weather. After about 40 minutes, he was unable to continue due to low fuel, and decided to land in a farm pasture. Upon landing, he discovered the grass to be much taller than anticipated. The airplane became entangled, resulting in a nose-over that substantially damaged the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ), Suffolk, Virginia, at about 1105, with full fuel tanks, enroute to Elkins, (EKN), West Virginia. While enroute at about 6,000 feet above ground level, he encountered weather over the mountains which prevented him from continuing direct to EKN under visual meteorological conditions. At that time he chose to fly north up the valley in hopes of finding a break in the weather. After about 40 minutes, he was unable to continue due to low fuel, and decided to land in a farm pasture. Upon landing, he discovered the grass to be much taller than anticipated. The airplane became entangled resulting in a nose over substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer and wings. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4824A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4824A-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 22-3977, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22 (150) - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3977 - Airframe hours: 3212 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 2008, 59 hours before - Departed: SFQ, Suffolk, VA - Destination: EKN, Elkins, WV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 157 total, 157 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: 2G4 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73939. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies; FAA Inspectors Statement. (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies;%20FAA%20Inspectors%20Statement.-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1, FAA Digital Photo, overall damage. (item 3, .PDF, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201,%20FAA%20Digital%20Photo,%20overall%20damage.-Master.PDF 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.