# NTSB ERA23LA224: Piper PA-28-140, N678FL, Clyde, OH, May 6, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 6, 2023, 13:07 local (17:07 UTC) - Place: Clyde, OH · Farm field. - Coordinates: 41.33854, -83.14562 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3385&lon=-83.1456&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 130452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/130452/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=130452 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA224 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing. ## 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-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) - [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-28-140, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: 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) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a touch-and-go landing at an airport near his home base. During the initial climb after an uneventful landing, the engine lost all power. He was unable to return to the airport, so he performed a forced landing in a nearby farm field. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the airframe was substantially damaged. The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing was severed during the forced landing and the right wing fuel tank was compromised; however, 7 gallons of fuel were recovered from it. The left wing was intact and undamaged. About 1 quart of fuel was recovered from the left tank, and the cockpit fuel selector handle was found in the left tank position. Subsequent examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. Fuel records indicated that the airplane was operated about 4 hours since the previous refueling. The pilot would later state that he did not know why the engine lost power but that it may have been the result of a failure to switch fuel tanks. Based on this information, it is likely that the pilots inadequate fuel management resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 2023, about 1307 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N678FL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clyde, Ohio. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed from Fremont Airport (14G), Fremont, Ohio at 1150. He performed a touch-and-go landing at Fostoria Metro Airport (FZI), Fostoria, Ohio, and was planning a touch-and-go landing at Sandusky County Regional Airport (S24) before returning to 14G, his home airport. After an uneventful touch-and-go landing at S24, during the initial climb, the engine lost all power. He performed a forced landing into a cornfield about ½ mile northeast of S24. The pilot was met by first responders and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries. The pilot later reported that he was unsure why the engine stopped, but stated, “…could be a failure to switch tanks.” Inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The fuselage came to rest upright, and there was no fire. The right wing separated from the fuselage during the impact sequence and was found inverted and adjacent to the main wreckage, with the right main landing gear still attached. The fuselage was buckled. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and the propeller remained attached to the engine. The left wing was undamaged. Although the right wing fuel tank was ruptured from impact, about 7 gallons of fuel were recovered from that tank. The left wing fuel tank was intact and undamaged. The left tank was drained at the accident site by the inspectors and about 1 quart of fuel was recovered. The cockpit fuel tank selector was in the left tank position. The wreckage was recovered to a hangar where an additional examination of the engine and fuel system was performed. The engine contained about 4 quarts of clean oil. There was no visible damage to the engine case. Internal engine continuity was confirmed and valve action was correct. The fuel gascolator was removed and examined. It was dry and contained some small, black particulates. The engine-driven fuel pump was actuated by hand; a few drops of fuel were expelled. The interior of the pump was normal in appearance. The carburetor air box was unobstructed. The carburetor was disassembled. The bowl was free of contaminants and contained about 1 tablespoon of fuel. The brass floats were uncompromised. The electric fuel boost pump was energized with aircraft battery power; it pumped normally. The fuel tank selector valve was disassembled and operated normally. The FAA inspectors reported that the airplane was last fueled with 18.8 gallons on March 30, 2023. According to aircraft and pilot records, the airplane was operated about 3.97 hours since the last refueling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N678FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N678FL-2024-05-21), registration cancelled 2024-05-21, S/N 28-7125608, built 1971 (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: 28-7125608 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 2617 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 2023, 4 hours before - Departed: 14G, Fremont, OH - Airport: S24, Sandusky County Regional, runway 6, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 320 total, 167 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KPCW, 16 nm away - METAR: KPCW 061655Z AUTO 05010KT 10SM CLR 17/11 A3021 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230506009779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230506009779A), May 6, 2023: Piper PA-28-140, Clyde, OH, Substantial damage. Airman failed to manage available fuel leading to loss of power on climb out and subsequent impact with the ground ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=130452. 20.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 11.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15742531&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%20NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15742092&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpt - pilot logbook (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15742541&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Excerpt%20-%20Pilot%20Logbook-Rel.pdf - Excerpts - maintenance logbooks (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15741453&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Excerpts%20-%20Aircraft%20and%20Engine%20Logbooks_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 7 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15741690&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20Photo%20Array-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.