# NTSB ERA13CA011: Piper PA-28-140, N44595, Beltzville, PA, October 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 6, 2012, 17:38 local (21:38 UTC) - Place: Beltzville, PA - Coordinates: 40.840557, -75.670555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8406&lon=-75.6706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85271/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85271 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA011 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## 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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102802), [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 starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor completed a preflight inspection and noted that each wing fuel tank contained about 18 gallons of fuel before departing on the local instructional flight. At the conclusion of the flight, while returning to the departure airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The flight instructor stated that he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a field while conducting the emergency landing checklist; however, he said that he did not change the fuel tank selector position. The airplane touched down in the field and impacted a row of trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. During postaccident examination, about 18 gallons of fuel was observed in the left wing tank, and about 8 ounces of fuel was drained from the right wing tank. A fuel line was plumbed to the engine, and the engine started and ran through all power settings with no anomalies observed. ## Factual narrative The certificated flight instructor (CFI) completed a preflight inspection, and noted that each wing fuel tank contained approximately 18 gallons of fuel before departing on the local instructional flight. At the conclusion of the flight, while returning to the departure airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The CFI stated that he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a field while conducting the emergency landing checklist; however, he did not change the fuel tank selector position. The airplane touched down in the field and impacted a row of trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Following the accident, approximately 18 gallons of fuel was observed in the left wing tank, and about 8 ounces of fuel were drained from the right wing tank. During postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, a fuel line was plumbed to the engine. The inspector then started and ran the engine through all power settings with no anomalies observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44595](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44595-2017-02-16), registration cancelled 2017-02-16, S/N 28-7425430, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7425430 - Airframe hours: 11627 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Yialamas Constantine G - Registered owner: Yialamas Constantine G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 2012 - Departed: ABE, Allentown, PA - Destination: ABE, Allentown, PA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 302 total, 30 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: ABE, 16 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 20121006022259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121006022259A), Oct 6, 2012: Piper PA-28-140, Lehighton, PA, Substantial damage. 1St flight as instructor with new student. During preflight left fuel qty indicator inoperative right read just below 1/2. Visual inspection determined right… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85271. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 413 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - CFI Statement (item 3, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot Interview Summary (item 4, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Mechanic Statement (item 5, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Mechanic%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane after removal from trees (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 957 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20after%20removal%20from%20trees%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.