# NTSB FTW04CA242: Piper PA-28-181, N282HP, Haskell, TX, September 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2004, 06:20 local (11:20 UTC) - Place: Haskell, TX - Coordinates: 33.191387, -99.717781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1914&lon=-99.7178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lubbock, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 60170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA242 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper inflight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 380-hour pilot reported that he filled both wing tanks with fuel prior to his departure. Upon reaching his intended destination, the pilot elected to continue the flight "because it was a beautiful night," and continued to fly on a northerly heading. Later, while in cruise flight, the pilot observed the fuel gauges to indicate near empty so he checked a sectional chart looking for a place to land. Shortly after, and approximately four hours and fifteen minutes into the flight, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll-out, the airplane collided with several small trees and a barbed-wire fence. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, both fuel tanks were intact and empty. There was no evidence of any fuel spill or leaks at the accidents site. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 2004, approximately 0620 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 single-engine airplane, N282HP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise near Haskell, Texas. The private pilot, who was the owner and operator of the airplane, and his dog sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from the Mustang Beach Airport (2R8), near Port Aransas, Texas, approximately 0200, and was destined for the San Marcos Municipal Airport (HYI), near San Marcos, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. In a telephone interview with an NTSB investigator, the 380-hour pilot reported that he filled both wing tanks with fuel prior to his departure from Port Aransas. While enroute to San Marcos, the pilot switched fuel tanks approximately every 30 minutes. Upon reaching San Marcos the pilot elected to continue the flight "because it was a beautiful night," and continued to fly on a northerly heading toward Haskell, Texas. The pilot added that as he approached Haskell he observed the fuel gauges to indicate near empty, so he checked a sectional chart looking for a place to land. Shortly after, and approximately four hours and fifteen minutes into the flight, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll-out, the airplane collided with several small trees and a barbed-wire fence. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, both fuel tanks were intact and empty. There was no evidence of any fuel spill or leaks at the accident site. In addition, both wings sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N282HP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N282HP), registered now, S/N 2843354, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843354 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terry Alan Cook - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2R8, Port Aransas, TX - Destination: HYI, San Marcos, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 380 total, 357 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 140° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: abi ## 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 20040921021549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040921021549A), Sep 21, 2004: Piper PA28181, Haskell, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that he departed from port aransas, Texas, at approximately 2330 on September 20, 2004. He went out over the gulf of Mexico, then proceeed… 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.