# NTSB ERA10CA194: Piper PA-28-180, N3442R, Palermo, NY, March 28, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 28, 2010, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Palermo, NY
- Coordinates: 43.371665, -76.313331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3717&lon=-76.3133&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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75598/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75598
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA194

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power 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: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Prior to departure the pilot obtained a standard preflight weather briefing. Based on the pilot's input pertaining to flight performance parameters, the flight's duration was calculated to be about 3 hours, with an estimated fuel consumption of 29.3 gallons; this fuel consumption rate was based on the pilot's historical experience of 10.0 gallons per hour. The pilot stated that the flight departed with 34 gallons of usable fuel on board. After takeoff, the pilot obtained visual-flight-rules flight following and proceeded toward the destination airport. The engine experienced a total loss of power and, approximately 3 hours 7 minutes after takeoff, the pilot advised the controller that she had exhausted the airplane's fuel supply. The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward a field and the airplane collided with a tree during the descent. Inspection of the accident site and wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the left wing was separated. No fuel was found in either main fuel tank and there was no evidence of leakage from either fuel filler cap or sump drain. A total of 1.5 ounces of fuel were drained from the carburetor bowl. Inspection of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

## Factual narrative

The pilot obtained a standard preflight weather briefing with Lockheed Martin Automated Flight Service Station and also Data Transformation Corporation (DTC) direct user access terminal (DUAT) before departure. The estimated flight duration calculated by "DUAT.COM Flight Planner" based on pilot input pertaining to flight performance parameters, and winds aloft forecasts was 2 hours 59 minutes, with an estimated fuel consumption of 29.3 gallons. The trip fuel consumption was based on the pilot's historical experience of 10.0 gallons-per-hour (gph). The pilot stated that the flight departed with 34 gallons usable fuel on-board; the time of departure based on a witness account was 1215. After takeoff, the pilot obtained visual flight rules (VFR) flight following, and proceeded towards the destination airport. At 1522:48, or approximately 3 hours 7 minutes after takeoff, the pilot advised the controller, "mayday uh four two romeo's uh out of fuel." The controller advised the pilot of a nearby airport but the pilot advised she was unable to land there. The pilot stated that she maneuvered the airplane towards a field and during the descent she heard the sound of tree contact then recalls nothing further. Inspection of the accident site and wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the left wing was separated. No fuel was found in either main fuel tank, and there was no evidence of leakage from either fuel filler cap or sump drain. A total of 1.5 ounces of fuel were drained from the carburetor bowl. Inspection of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3442R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3442R-2013-11-12), registration cancelled 2013-11-12, S/N 28-5681, built 1970 (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: 28-5681
- Airframe hours: 5023
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Williamson Flying Club
- Registered owner: Williamson Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 2009, 38 hours before
- Departed: LCI, Laconia, NH
- Destination: SDC, Williamson/Sodu, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 289 total, 47 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: FZY, 3 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 20100328030449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100328030449A), Mar 28, 2010: Piper PA-28-180, Fulton, NY, Substantial damage. On March 28, 2010 a Piper cherokee, PA-28-180, departed laconia, n.h. (lci) enroute to williamson-sodus airport, williamson, NY (sdc). The pilot advised…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75598. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 611 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 316 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 4, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 762 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Radio Communications (item 6, .PDF, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329764&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Radio%20Communications-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 7, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329765&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Record of NTSB Conversation (item 8, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329766&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF
- Record of FAA Conversations (item 9, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20FAA%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF
- Flight Planning Document (item 10, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Planning%20Document-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.

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