# NTSB ERA14LA440: Piper PA 28-180, N15833, St. Petersburg, FL, September 15, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 15, 2014, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: St. Petersburg, FL - Coordinates: 27.777221, -82.626663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7772&lon=-82.6267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 21, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Air Accident Investigation Branch - United Kingdom - NTSB case key (mKey): 90079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA440 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90079/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90079 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA440 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management. ## 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 level (probable cause); 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) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); 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) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); 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) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/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 The pilot reported that he completed a preflight inspection and was "comfortable" that the amount of fuel on board was sufficient for the flight. He and the pilot-rated passengers then departed on the personal flight. The pilot reported that, while preparing to land, he selected the left wing fuel tank because he believed it was "fuller" than the right wing fuel tank. When the airplane was about 350 ft above ground level, he noted that the engine was not producing power. At this point, the airplane had been flown about 4 hours since being fueled. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the cabin, fuselage, and left wing. Both wing fuel tanks remained intact, and no signs of in-flight or postaccident fuel leakage were found. A photograph taken while in-flight about 26 miles from the destination airport revealed that the left fuel tank gauge indicated about 5 gallons of fuel and that the right fuel tank gauge indicated no fuel. Postaccident examination revealed that the left wing fuel tank contained about 12 ounces (about 0.09 gallon) of fuel and that the right wing fuel tank contained about 80 ounces (about 0.63 gallon) of fuel. According to the airplane manufacturer, the fuel tanks had a total capacity of 50 gallons, 2 gallons of which were unusable. It is likely that the pilot did not conduct adequate preflight planning and in-flight fuel management to ensure that there was sufficient fuel for the flight and that all of the usable fuel was exhausted during the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on final approach to the destination airport. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 15, 2014, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N15833, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain, following a total loss of engine power while maneuvering for landing at Albert Whitted Airport (SPG), St. Petersburg, Florida. The foreign rated pilot-rated passenger seated in the left front seat and the pilot-rated passenger seated in the right rear seat were seriously injured, the pilot seated in the right front seat and the passenger seated in the left rear seat received minor injuries. The airplane was owned by Advanced Technology Training, LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH), Tallahassee, Florida, about 0830. According to the pilot, a few days prior to the accident he completed a "check-ride" in the accident airplane. He, along with the pilot-rated passengers, were planning to fly from an airport near New Orleans to an airport in New York via several planned stops along the way, including going to Key West, Florida. The day prior to the accident, the airplane had been fueled with almost 40 gallons of fuel, at the Pensacola International Airport (PNS), Pensacola, Florida, prior to their flight to TLH, which landed the evening prior. The pilot further stated that on the morning of the accident flight, he completed the pre-flight checklist and was "comfortable" that the fuel was sufficient for their flight to SPG. He further reported that while enroute he followed the "normal" leaning procedure utilizing the exhaust gas temperature gauge. As they neared the destination the pre-landing checklist was completed and the left fuel tank was selected as it was the "fuller" fuel tank. About 350 feet above ground level, they advanced the throttle to reduce the rate of descent, at which time it was noted that the engine was not operating. The pilot reported that the next recollection was being conscious in the airplane after impact. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 48, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land issued August 29, 2014, which was issued on the basis of his British issued pilot license. He also held a second-class airman medical certificate issued June 29, 2014, with no limitation. The pilot reported 260 total flight hours; however, did not report the total amount of hours in the accident airplane make and model. According to documentation provided by the British government, the pilot-rated passenger in the left front seat and the pilot-passenger in the rear seat were licensed pilots in the United Kingdom; however, no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificates were located at the time of the accident. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane, was manufactured in 1972, serial number28-7305158. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4A, 180-hp engine and driven by a Hartzell fixed-pitch propeller. Review of copies of maintenance logbook records showed an annual inspection was completed November 8, 2013, at a recorded tachometer reading of 4372.16 hours, and an engine time since major overhaul of 441.2 hours. The tachometer was observed at the accident site and indicated 4418.25 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The 1050 recorded weather observation at SPG, located 1 mile to the south, of the accident location, included wind from 170 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 29 degrees C, dew point 22 degrees C; barometric altimeter 30.15 inches of mercury. WRECAKGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Initial examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest upright on the nose and right main landing gear, in a neighborhood park. The left wing was impact separated and was located in the vicinity of the main wreckage and initial tree strikes. Flight control continuity was confirmed to the elevator from the control column located in the cockpit. The wing flaps were in the full extended position. The fuel selector valve, located in the cockpit, was selected to the left fuel tank position. The left wing fuel tank was intact, and contained approximately 12 ounces of fuel. The right wing tank was intact, and contained about 80 ounces of fuel. No blight was observed on the vegetation in the vicinity of the wreckage except for an approximate 6 inch circle located near the initial ground impact location. VIDEO RECORDING A camera was located within the wreckage and FAA inspectors downloaded the video prior to NTSB notification. The downloaded data included two video files that were transmitted electronically to the NTSB Recorders Laboratory. Both video recordings were taken out the right rear window of the airplane. Audio enhancement techniques for both video files produced no useable information regarding any conversation between the pilot and any of the airplane occupants. According to a photograph taken by one of the occupant's camera, the GPS showed that the flight had a groundspeed of 95 knots. When the photograph was taken, indicated the flight was at 2,000 feet above mean sea level and 26.2 miles from the destination airport. The photograph also revealed that the left wing fuel quantity gauge indicated approximately 5 gallons of fuel. The right wing fuel quantity gauge indicated no fuel. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Examination of fuel records at TLH revealed that the pilot did not purchase fuel after it arrived on September 14, 2014. However, fuel records were located at a fixed base operator (FBO) at PNS, time stamped September 14, 2014, at 1506. According to a copy of the fuel ticket 25 gallons of fuel was requested in each fuel tank, and the fuel receipt indicated 39.8 gallons of fuel was purchased, which according to FBO personnel, topped off, or completely filled, thefuel tanks. According to the pilot's operating handbook, the airplane's fuel capacity was 50 gallons, of which 48 gallons were usable. The fuel consumption rate in cruise varied between 8.1 gallons per hour (gph) and 10.5 gph depending on the power setting and utilizing the lean procedures provided by the engine manufacturer. The fuel required for the taxi, full-power takeoffs, climbs, and landing approach during the two flights were not computed. The airplane had flown approximately 4 hours since being fueled; however, the investigation could not conclusively determine the altitude, route of flight, or power setting utilized during either of the two flights. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15833](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15833-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 28-7305158, built 1972 (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: 28-7305158 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 4372 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 2013 - Departed: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL - Destination: SPG, St. Petersburg, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted, runway 18, 2,864 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 260 total, 183 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 57; injuries: serious; seat: left - Pilot-rated passenger; age 52; injuries: serious; private; seat: right; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KSPG, 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 20140915022169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140915022169A), Sep 15, 2014: Piper PA-28-180, St. Petersburg, FL, Destroyed. On a three leg cross country from knew (1st leg new orleans lake front) to kpns (2nd leg pensacola, FL), kpns to ktlh (3rd leg - tallahassee, FL) ktlh to kspg,… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90079. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Emailed Statement on Damage [Excerpts] (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Emailed%20Statement%20on%20Damage%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (Excerpts) (item 3, .PDF, 921 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(Excerpts)-Master.PDF - Fuel Receipt (item 4, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Receipt-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - St. Petersburg Florida Weather (item 5, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20St.%20Petersburg%20Florida%20Weather-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Passenger Photograph (item 6, .PDF, 2 photos, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Passenger%20Photograph-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 8 photos, 738 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%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.