# NTSB FTW82DA037: Piper PA-24-250, N5304P, Lonoke, AR, January 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1982, 09:49 local (15:49 UTC)
- Place: Lonoke, AR
- Coordinates: 34.779422, -91.889472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7794&lon=-91.8895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA037

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AT 2000 FT AS HE WAS DESCENDING FOR AN APPROACH. HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO THE LEFT TANK, TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP, AND PUMPED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A SOD AREA NEXT TO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY WHILE THE LEFT CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 15 GALS OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED HE OBSERVED FUEL RUNNING OUT OF THE RIGHT TANK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE FAA INSPECTORS COULD FIND NO FUEL STAINS ON THE AIRCRAFT OR ROADWAY AND NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK. THE ENGINE WAS RUN DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5304P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5304P-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 24-345, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24345
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1AS 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Donald L. Hicks
- Registered owner: Donald L. Hicks
- Departed: LIT, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: MEM, LITTLE ROCK, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,000 total, 522 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 115 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 20 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 19820105000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820105000549A), Jan 5, 1982: Piper PA24250, Lonoke, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit on descent for destination. Landed in rough terrain. Fuel selector on empty tank.

## Other investigations on N5304P (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA76FKJ33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKJ33), Nov 18, 1975: Piper PA-24 (N5304P), Birmingham, AL, substantial damage

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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