# NTSB FTW85LA255: Piper PA-28-181, N1601S, Tahlequah, OK, June 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1985, 23:06 local (Jun 11, 1985, 04:06 UTC)
- Place: Tahlequah, OK
- Coordinates: 35.909725, -94.970809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9097&lon=-94.9708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA255

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fluid,fuel - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THE ACFT WAS IN FLT SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THREE HRS AFTER IT WAS REFUELED, BEFORE FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED. THE ACFT REPORTEDLY WAS LEANED DURING THE FLT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS. REASON FOR THE FUEL EXHAUSTION IS UNDETERMINED AS THE ACFT HAS AN ENDURANCE OF APRX 4.8 HRS. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FLD, AT NIGHT, AND THE ACFT WAS INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED TO AVOID A DIRT BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1601S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1601S), registered now, S/N 28-7790057 (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: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790057
- Airframe hours: 2628
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel M. Stoos
- Registered owner: Aero West Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984
- Departed: MCI, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Destination: F08, EUFAULA, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 610 total, 34 in this make and model, 569 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL

## 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 19850610070779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850610070779A), Jun 10, 1985: Piper PA28181, Tahlequah, OK, Substantial damage. Landed in field after fuel was exhausted. No evidence of fuel leak. Pilot personally fueled aircraft 3 hours before

## Other investigations on N1601S (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 OAK78DA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DA045), Aug 29, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N1601S), Markleeville, CA, 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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