# NTSB ERA22LA276: Piper PA-28-180, N9676J, Laurinburg, NC, June 20, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 20, 2022, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Laurinburg, NC · Access road. - Coordinates: 34.833568, -79.357628 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8336&lon=-79.3576&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105300/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105300 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA276 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to depart with insufficient fuel onboard, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion on final approach for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: 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: 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 conducted a long cross-country flight and landed with 10 gallons of fuel between the two wing fuel tanks. He subsequently departed without refueling and about 15 to 20 miles from his destination, the engine began to sputter. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the left tank, which momentarily resolved the partial loss of engine power, but the engine again sputtered when the airplane was about 3 miles from the destination. The pilot switched the fuel selector back to the right tank, after which the engine lost total power. He determined that the airplane had insufficient altitude to reach the runway, so he completed a forced landing on a road, during which the airplane struck an object, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The right fuel tank was found nearly empty, and the tank was intact with no areas of fuel leakage observed. The left tank contained less than 1/2 gallon of fuel; however, a fuel leak was observed at the wing root as a result of impact-related damage, and the fuel was measured several days after the accident. Therefore, the exact quantity of fuel that remained in the left wing tank at the time of the accident could not be determined. Postaccident testing of the engine found that it produced normal power after fuel was added to the right tank. Although the investigation could not determine the total fuel remaining in the left tank due to damage sustained in the accident, it is likely that the pilot exhausted the airplane’s total fuel supply during the approach to landing. The pilot reported that he should have refueled before departing on the accident flight and that he was “over trustful” of the fuel gauges. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2022, about 1315 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N9676J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Laurinburg, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he arrived at Raleigh Executive Jetport (TTA), Sanford, North Carolina, following a long cross-country flight. He believed that, upon landing, the airplane contained about 10 total gallons of fuel (5 gallons each in the left and right tanks), which was consistent with his observation of the fuel gauges. He departed TTA shortly after 1300 for Lumberton Regional Airport (LBT), Lumberton, North Carolina, with an intermediate fuel stop planned at Laurinburg/Maxton Airport (MEB), Maxton, North Carolina. The fuel was out of service at LBT, which necessitated the fuel stop at MEB. The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff from TTA, the fuel gauges settled below 5 gallons per tank, and about 15 to 20 miles north of MEB, the engine began to sputter. He switched tanks from the right tank to the left, and power returned to normal momentarily. At this point, he began navigating directly to runway 23 at MEB and announced over the common traffic advisory frequency that he would be performing a straight-in approach for landing. About 3 miles from the runway, the engine sputtered again, and the pilot switched the fuel selector back to the right tank. Subsequently, the engine lost all power, but the propeller continued to windmill. The loss of power occurred at 2,700 ft mean sea level (about 2,400 ft above ground level) and the pilot assessed that he could not make the runway at MEB. He subsequently maneuvered to a small service road and made an off-airport landing. During the landing roll, the left wing impacted a metal object, which caused the airplane to veer into a chain link fence adjacent to the road. The left wing sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and engine several days after the accident. The right tank contained less than 1 cup of fuel. No areas of possible fuel leakage were observed. Less than 1/2 gallon of fuel was discovered in the left tank; however, a fuel leak was observed at the left wing root. The fuel drained was free of debris. During a postaccident test run, the engine started and produced normal power during a runup after about 4 gallons of fuel was added to the right tank. The right fuel gauge displayed an accurate measurement with this added fuel. The pilot reported after the accident that he believed the loss of power was due to a “loss of fuel.” He further added that he should have added fuel at TTA and that he was “over trustful” of the fuel gauges. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9676J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9676J), registered now, S/N 28-3846, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 (NO SERIES) - 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: 28-3846 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3183 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2022 - Departed: TTA, Sanford, NC - Destination: MEB, Laurinburg, NC - Airport: MEB, Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, runway 23, 6,503 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: left; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: MEB, 3 nm away - METAR: KMEB 201752Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM CLR 31/09 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP235 T03110089 10311 20189 56013 TSNO ## 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 20220620020279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220620020279A), Jun 20, 2022: Piper PA-28-180, Laurinburg, NC, Substantial damage. PIC reportedly initiated flight with fuel indicators showing approximately 5 gallons in each tank. Engine was running rough. PIC switched tanks with no mention… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105300. 2.1 MB in all. - Record of conversation (pilot in command) (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15541154&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)%20-%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Aircraft examination - memorandum record (FAA inspector) (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 5 photos, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15493325&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15503137&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-%20ERA22LA276-Rel.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.