# NTSB FTW85LA353: Piper PA-28R-200, N1994T, Plainview, TX, September 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1985, 15:17 local (20:17 UTC)
- Place: Plainview, TX
- Coordinates: 34.189353, -101.720779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1894&lon=-101.7208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA353
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA353

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING AN EMERG LANDING FOLLOWING AN ENG FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. PLT STATED THAT DURING THE 2ND LEG OF HIS FLT, THE CEILING AND VISIBILITY DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ARPT AT HIS DESTINATION AND THAT HE USED UP HIS FUEL RESERVE LOOKING FOR IT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT FLEW 4.2 HRS TO COVER A STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE OF 269.5NM THAT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE AN ETE OF BETWEEN 1.63 HRS AND 1.73 HRS. THE WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE AREA WAS MARGINAL VFR TO BELOW VFR MINIMUMS. DURING WEATHER BRIEFING, PLT WAS WARNED THAT VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WITHIN 5 NM OF THE DESTINATION ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1994T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1994T), registered now, S/N 28R-7135187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7135187
- Airframe hours: 2305
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tarrant Aero Flying Club
- Registered owner: David J. Mcvinnie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1985, 58 hours before
- Departed: GUTHRIE, TX
- Airport: PVW, Hale County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 123 total, 14 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB

## 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 19850920046719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850920046719A), Sep 20, 1985: Piper PA28R200, Plainview, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel looking for the airport at Plainview in deteriorating weather. Landed,hit embankment and gas meter.

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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