# NTSB ERA11LA457: Piper PA-32R-301T, N492ST, Graham, NC, August 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2011, 04:25 local (08:25 UTC) - Place: Graham, NC - Coordinates: 35.965557, -79.375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9656&lon=-79.3750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81512 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA457 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81512/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81512 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA457 ## Probable cause The individual's fuel mismanagement, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent engine failure. Contributing the accident was the individual’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following the engine failure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Intentional act: stolen/unauthorized](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051020): Personnel issues › Miscellaneous · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051020/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02051020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301T, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103220), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was stolen during nighttime hours and flown at varying airspeeds and altitudes for about 2 hours before it impacted trees and terrain. Photographs of the accident scene revealed damage indicative of an almost vertical descent and consistent with a stall. There was no indication of engine power at the time of impact, and no significant amount of fuel was found at the scene, in the airplane, or seeped into the ground. An individual, who had previously held a student pilot certificate, was arrested 2 days after the event. The individual refused to provide a statement to authorities. Fuel prior to takeoff and power settings used could not be determined; however, with fuel exhaustion occurring after only 2 hours for an airplane that should have had considerably more endurance if fully fueled and operated correctly, it is likely that the individual mismanaged the rate of fuel consumption. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2011, about 0425 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N492ST, was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain in Graham, North Carolina. No one was found in or near the wreckage; however, on August 18, 2011, a suspect with minor injuries was arrested for larceny of the airplane. The airplane departed Horace Williams Airport (IGX), Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar information indicated that the airplane departed IGX about 0235, and subsequently made multiple turns, climbs and descents. Recorded altitudes varied between 5,100 feet above mean sea level (msl), and 800 feet msl in the vicinity of the accident site, while terrain elevations averaged about 600 feet. Numerous losses of radar contact were also noted during the flight, typically below 800 feet msl. Ground speeds also varied, between a maximum of 156 knots, and 54 knots near the accident site. Responders found blood at the scene, but the occupant(s) of the airplane could not be located. FAA photographs revealed that the airplane came to rest next to a large tree. Tree damage was apparent almost directly above the wreckage, and there was no evidence of forward motion of the airplane. According to a responding FAA inspector, the airplane appeared to have descended vertically through the trees. The propeller had one undamaged blade sticking up through fallen tree debris. There was no odor of fuel around the airplane, no fuel in the left tank, and the inspector couldn't tell if there was any fuel in the right tank. The owner of the airplane had arrived prior to the inspector, and had placed the fuel selector into the off position. The owner had also stated to the inspector that the airplane's fuel tanks had been full the last time he saw it and that there were 1.9 additional hours on the Hobbs meter. According to aircraft recovery personnel, there was no postcrash fire, and no significant amount of fuel could be found either onboard the airplane or seeped into the ground when the airplane was dismantled and removed for transport. The departure airport was owned by the University of North Carolina. On August 18, 2011, a suspect was arrested and transported to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Public Safety, where he was charged with larceny of the airplane. According to a detective, the suspect refused to provide a statement. FAA records for the suspect indicated that he had obtained a student pilot certificate in 2004, which expired in 2009. As of March 13, 2012, the suspect's next court date for the larceny charge was scheduled for April 10, 2012. The detective also noted that other airplanes on the ramp were found to have been tampered with, but that it could not be verified as to when the tampering occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N492ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N492ST-2013-12-02), registration cancelled 2013-12-02, S/N 3257489, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-32R-301T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103221) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ah1a) (registry code 42003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3257489 - Airframe hours: 563 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AH1A 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alledged; pending outcome of trial. - Registered owner: Lfw Investments LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 2010, 137 hours before - Departed: IGX, Chapel Hill, NC - Destination: UNK, Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: minor ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 280° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: BUY, 7 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 20110816022699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110816022699A), Aug 16, 2011: Piper Aircraft Inc PA-32R-301T, Graham, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft was allegedly stolen and flown from horace williams airport (igx), chapel hill, NC. It was flown by a person with an expired student pilot certificate… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81512. 11.7 MB in all. - FAA Radar Summary (item 1, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Radar%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Aircraft Recovery (item 3, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Aircraft%20Recovery-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Detective (item 4, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Detective-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Right Side of Airplane; Right Wing Compromised (Courtesy FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Side%20of%20Airplane;%20Right%20Wing%20Compromised%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Toward the Front, Left Side of the Airplane (Courtesy FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Toward%20the%20Front,%20Left%20Side%20of%20the%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Propeller as Airplane being Removed from Woods (item 7, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Propeller%20as%20Airplane%20being%20Removed%20from%20Woods-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.