# NTSB ERA09LA296: Piper PA-28, N4130W, Dingman, PA, May 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 2009, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Dingman, PA - Coordinates: 41.308334, -74.941108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3083&lon=-74.9411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73869/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73869 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA296 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was flying back to his home airport when the "engine sounded like it was out of fuel," and the "propeller just stopped." The pilot then began performing the emergency checklist, switching fuel tanks, and looking for a place to land. The only suitable forced landing area was beyond glide range, and the airplane impacted trees just short of the pilot’s intended touchdown point. The airplane came to rest upright in the tops of the trees, substantially damaging the wing spar. The pilot reported that "there was no abnormal sound" from the engine prior to stopping. After the airplane was recovered from the tree tops, approximately 6 ounces of fuel was drained from the engine, and the Federal Aviation Administration inspector on scene found both fuel tanks empty. No other anomalies with either the engine or airframe were identified. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 18, 2009, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 28-181, N4130W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a sparsely populated area, near Dingman, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which departed White Birch Field Airport (NK68), Hancock, New York about 1645 with an intended destination of Somerset Airport (SMQ), Somerset, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that earlier in the day he had departed SMQ, where his airplane was based, for NK68. After spending about 6 hours in the Hancock, New York area he departed for SMQ. The pilot stated that he did not file a flight plan nor was he in communication with any air traffic control facilities. While in cruise flight, at 6,500 feet above mean sea level, the "engine sounded like it was out of fuel" and the "propeller just stopped." He immediately began performing his emergency checklist which included switching the fuel tanks; however, the engine did not respond. He also utilized his global positioning system to locate the nearest airport, however the nearest airport was about 12 miles away which, at the altitude he was at, he felt was too far away. He saw a multi-lane road, due to the hour of the day he felt that the road was too heavily traveled and would "create a hazard by landing there." He then saw an open field and proceeded to attempt to land in it. As he approached the open field he realized it was a park with a playground. He then attempted to locate another place to land; however, there was no other location suitable. The airplane's altitude was not sufficient enough to glide to the open field and the airplane "settled into the trees." The airplane came to rest in the tops of the trees, approximately 25 feet above ground level, and the pilot exited the airplane and descended down the tree. The airplane was noticed the following day, by a passer-by, still in the tree. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 50, held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on August 7, 2007. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported a total flight experience of 871 hours and a total flight experience in the accident airplane make and model of 775 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident airplane, a Piper PA-28-181, was manufactured in 1999, and registered with the FAA that same year. The four-seat, single-engine land airplane was equipped with a tricycle landing gear and had accrued 5,140 total flight hours. The airplane was equipped with a 180 horsepower O-360-A4M model, Lycoming engine. According to the pilot the engine had accrued 2,019 total hours, 1,549 hours since overhaul, and 13 hours since its last inspection. Theengine was equipped with a fixed pitch, Sensenich propeller, model 76EMS14-0-62. The max gross weight of the airplane was 2,558 pounds and the weight at the time of the accident was 2,036 pounds. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The 1754 recorded weather observation at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania, 35 nautical miles to the west of the accident location, included winds from 340 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles, a cloud layer at 7000 feet agl, temperature 13 degrees C, dew point minus 3 degrees C; altimeter 30.28 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An on scene investigation by an inspector with the FAA revealed that the right wing spar was slightly bent in the positive direction and both fuel tanks were void of fuel. The airplane was removed from the tree, lowered to the ground, and the engine was examined; approximately 6 ounces of fuel was drained from the engine and fuel system. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the most recent time he had purchased fuel was near Albany, New York on a previous trip. He further stated that he normally does not purchase fuel at SMQ. The most recent fuel receipt that was located was dated April 23, 2009 and revealed that the local fixed base operator fueled the airplane with 39 gallons of fuel. The pilot stated that since fueling he flew from Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York to SMQ, and then the next flight was the day of the accident from SMQ to NK68 with the intention of returning to SMQ. When asked if the engine made any unusual sounds prior to stopping and the pilots stated "there was no abnormal sound." According to the airplane Pilot's Operating Handbook the airplane's glide range in a no wind condition was about 10 miles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4130W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4130W-2016-04-21), registration cancelled 2016-04-21, S/N 2843204, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28 (181) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 2843204 - Airframe hours: 5140 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2009, 13 hours before - Departed: NK68, Hancock, NY - Destination: SMQ, Somerville, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 871 total, 775 in this make and model, 871 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: AVP, 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 20090518007109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090518007109A), May 18, 2009: Piper PA28181, Milford, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Operated under 14CFR part 91, pilot [privacy data omitted] departed white birch airport near lake wallenpaupack, PA, to somerset airport, NJ (ksnq) in… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73869. 731 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 668 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum Of Record (Phone Interview) (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20(Phone%20Interview)-Master.PDF - Fuel Receipt (item 3, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt-Redacted.PDF - Weather (item 4, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-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.