# NTSB ERA13CA362: Piper PA-28R-180, N4969J, Fredericksburg, VA, August 12, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 12, 2013, 05:57 local (09:57 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, VA - Coordinates: 38.27111, -77.446945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2711&lon=-77.4469&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87746 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA362 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87746/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87746 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA362 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning and his failure to obtain a weather briefing at his intermediate stops, resulting in a missed approach at his destination and subsequent fuel exhaustion. The pilot’s fatigue due to lack of sleep may have been a factor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Alertness/Fatigue: lack of sleep](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013510): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013510/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013510/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102809), [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-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he initiated the first leg of a three-leg cross country flight at night without obtaining a weather briefing, nor did he obtain a briefing at either intermediate stop. Approaching his destination, he checked the weather and was informed that it included one-quarter mile visibility, 200 vertical feet visibility, and the runway was closed. He decided to wait and hold for the runway to open, which was about 30 to 40 minutes, and attempted an ILS approach. He performed the approach but executed a missed approach due to the low visibility conditions. After conferring with air traffic control, he elected to divert, but exhausted his fuel supply prior to performing an approach at the diversion airport. He executed a forced landing in instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane touched down in a grassy area and collided with a curb adjacent to the parking lot of a gas station. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed that the fuel supply was exhausted and substantial damage was confirmed to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that he may have been fatigued since he elected to fly all night after working the previous day. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he initiated the first leg of a three-leg cross country flight at night without obtaining a weather briefing, nor did he obtain a briefing at either intermediate stop. Approaching his destination, he checked the weather and was informed that it included one quarter mile visibility, 200 vertical feet visibility, and the runway was closed. He decided to wait and hold for the runway to open, which was about 30 to 40 minutes, and attempted an ILS approach. He performed the approach but executed a missed approach due to the low visibility conditions. After conferring with air traffic control, he elected to divert, but exhausted his fuel supply prior to performing an approach at the diversion airport. He executed a forced landing in instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane touched down in a grassy area and collided with a curb adjacent to the parking lot of a gas station. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed that the fuel supply was exhausted and substantial damage was confirmed to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that he may have been fatigued since he elected to fly all night after working the previous day. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4969J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4969J-2020-07-10), registration cancelled 2020-07-10, S/N 28R-30720, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30720 - Airframe hours: 2573 - Engines: LYCOMING I0360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2013, 54 hours before - Departed: SAV, Savannah, GA - Destination: CHO, Charlottesville, VA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: EZF, Shannon Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 233 total, 71 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: EZF, 1 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 20130812014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130812014539A), Aug 12, 2013: Piper PA-28R-180, Fredericksburg, VA, Substantial damage. The airman departed the tampa Florida area with a passenger and flew to savanna, Georgia and dropped off the passenger. Without refueling, the pilot departed… ## Other investigations on N4969J (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC77DCJ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77DCJ02), Oct 7, 1976: Piper PA-28R (N4969J), Wayne, NE, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87746. 8.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1000 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Damage to Right Wing (FAA Digital Photo) (item 4, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Damage to Left Wing (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Damage to Forward Fuselage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Damage%20to%20Forward%20Fuselage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.