# NTSB FTW86FRD10: Piper PA-28-140, N40820, Krotz Springs, LA, March 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1986, 22:15 local (Mar 11, 1986, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Krotz Springs, LA
- Coordinates: 30.529226, -91.749748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5292&lon=-91.7497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRD10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRD10

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - improper (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - leak (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A ROAD SIGN DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A HIWAY FOLLOWING FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT HAD MADE A X-COUNTRY FLT AND ONLY ADDED TEN GALS OF FUEL FOR THE RETURN TRIP. HIS ESTIMATE OF FUEL REMAINING WAS INACCURATE PARTLY BECAUSE THE CARBURETOR WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AND LEAKED UNDER PRESSURE. PAST FUEL RECORDS SHOWED FUEL CONSUMPTION RANGED BETWEEN 9 & 12.5 GALS/HR. POST-ACC INVEST REVEALED THAT BOTH WING TANKS WERE EMPTY AS WERE THE FUEL FILTER AND CARBURETOR FLOAT CHAMBER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N40820 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425172
- Airframe hours: 3090
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ramp One Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Darryl Wagley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 1985, 43 hours before
- Departed: AL15, GULF SHORES, AL
- Destination: OPL, OPELOUSAS, LA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,847 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,509 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860310005919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860310005919A), Mar 10, 1986: Piper PA28140, Krotz Springs, LA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during attempted emergency landing after fuel exhaustion. Carburetor out of adjustment.

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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