# NTSB ERA24LA006: Piper PA28, N55162, Jonesboro, GA, October 11, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 10, 2023, 22:30 local (Oct 11, 2023, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Jonesboro, GA
- Coordinates: 33.474722, -84.373611
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4747&lon=-84.3736&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193226/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193226
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA006

## Probable cause

Both pilots’ inadequate preflight inspection and inadequate fuel monitoring during the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (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.

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102802), [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-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)
- [Landing: 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

Both pilots reported that they were sharing flying responsibilities during the night cross-country flights to build flight time. The pilot in the left seat was performing the takeoffs and landings, while the pilot in the right seat flew the en route portion of the flights. Before departing on the accident flight, the pilots added 15 gallons of fuel, which brought the right fuel tank to full and the left fuel tank to about half to three-fourths full. The pilot in the left seat departed with the fuel selector position to the left tank (the fuel selector handle was located on the left side of the cockpit). As they neared the destination airport of the planned 1 hour 47-minute flight, the pilot in the left seat switched the fuel selector from left tank to right tank. At that time, the left fuel tank would have been nearly empty after departing with that tank half full and drawing from it for the entire accident flight. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power. She performed the emergency checklist items but was unable to restart the engine while the pilot in the right seat continued flying the airplane. The airplane was unable to glide to the nearest airport and they performed a forced landing into trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that it came to rest nose-down in a wooded area. Both wing fuel tanks were breached and there was no fuel odor or browning of vegetation at the accident site. The left-wing fuel cap remained secured; however, the right-wing fuel cap was missing and was not located at the accident site. Based on this information, it is likely that the right-wing fuel cap was not secured before departure and, during the accident flight, fuel siphoned from the right tank without either pilot noticing. The loose or missing right fuel cap was not identified during the preflight inspection of the airplane nor was the resulting fuel imbalance identified during the flight.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 2023, about 2230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N55162, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jonesboro, Georgia. The private pilot and commercial pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The private pilot/owner reported that she was in the left seat. The commercial pilot was in the right seat and the flying pilot (pilot-in-command) as they were alternating legs to build flight time. The pilot in the left seat made radio calls while the pilot in the right seat flew. They planned to fly from Destin Executive Airport (DTS), Destin, Florida, to Hartsfield – Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia. Before departing DTS, they purchased 15 gallons of fuel. Five gallons of fuel completely filled the right fuel tank (25 gallons), and the remaining 10 gallons were added to the left fuel tank. The total fuel onboard was determined to be 38 gallons by using a measuring stick in the left fuel tank (13 gallons) and visually confirming a full right fuel tank. She added that the other pilot also checked the fuel quantity by visual inspection. They departed at 2018 with a planned flying time of 1 hour and 47 minutes. The pilot in the left seat added that as they were nearing ATL, at 3,500 ft mean sea level, she switched from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank (the fuel selector was located on the left side of the cockpit). Shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power. She performed the emergency checklist items but was unable to restart the engine while the pilot in the right seat continued to fly the airplane. The airplane was unable to glide to the nearest airport and they performed a forced landing into trees. The commercial pilot in the right seat reported that the private pilot/owner in the left seat was pilot-in-command. She further stated that the private pilot in the left seat performed the takeoffs and landings, while she flew the en route portion of the flight from the right seat, as they were both building flight time. She added that the airplane landed at DTS with a fuel load about half full. They purchased 15 gallons of fuel, which brought the fuel load to nearly full (full right tank of 25 gallons and left tank 18.5 out of 25 gallons). The pilot in the left seat reported that she was taking off with the fuel selector positioned to the left fuel tank. After the accident, the pilot in the left seat stated that she forgot to switch fuel tanks throughout the accident flight. Review of a pilot operating handbook for the accident airplane make and model revealed that the engine consumed 8.4 gallons of fuel per hour at 75% power, which equated to about half the total capacity of the left wing fuel tank during the accident flight. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wreckage came to rest nose-down in a wooded area. Both wings andthe fuselage sustained substantial damage. Both wing fuel tanks were breached and there was no fuel odor or browning of vegetation at the accident site. The inspector observed that the left wing fuel cap remained secured; however, the right wing fuel cap was missing, and he could not locate it at the accident site. As of the publication of this report, no insurance coverage has been identified and the wreckage has not been recovered from the wooded area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55162](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55162-2023-11-27), registration cancelled 2023-11-27, S/N 28-7325315, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (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: 28-7325315
- Year built: 1973
- Airframe hours: 5433
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 2022, 522 hours before
- Departed: DTS, Destin, FL
- Destination: ATL, Atlanta, GA
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,267 total, 600 in this make and model
- Pilot; age 34; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2020; seat: right; restraint: none; flight hours: 510 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: HMP, 5 nm away
- METAR: KHMP 110235Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN075 16/13 A2994

## 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 20231010020149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231010020149A), Oct 10, 2023: Piper PA-28-140, Jonesboro, GA, Destroyed. On October 11, 2023, 2130 (CT) two rated single engine pilots departed destin, Florida for atlanta, Georgia in a Piper PA28-140,serial number 7325315, VFR…

## Docket (11 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193226. 9.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (left seat pilot) (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16487721&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Left%20Seat%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (right seat pilot) (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16486862&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Right%20Seat%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statements (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16486777&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memoranda for the record (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16486872&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFRs-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16487272&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Fuel receipts (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16487959&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20Receipts_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Excerpts from maintenance records (item 7, PDF, 6 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16487666&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mx%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Excerpt from POH (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16492751&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf
- Excerpt from FAA ATC accident report (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 503 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16490429&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pages%20from%20FAA%20ATC%20Accident%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photograph (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16487367&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photo-Rel.pdf
- ADS-B plot (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16487156&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ADS-B%20Plot-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.

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