# NTSB FTW86LA012: Piper PA-28-161, N84691, Killeen, TX, October 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1985, 22:40 local (Oct 14, 1985, 03:40 UTC)
- Place: Killeen, TX
- Coordinates: 31.109752, -97.729652 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1098&lon=-97.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT STOPPED ENROUTE TO REFUEL. FUEL SERVICE AT THE AIRPORT AND ALREADY CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT SO THE PILOT DRAINED ABOUT 10 GALLONS OF FUEL INTO HIS AIRPLANE FROM A PARKED CESSNA AIRPLANE AND DEPARTED FOR HIS DESTINATION. HOWEVER, THIS AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THAT WHICH WAS NEEDED TO REACH HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED OVER A HEAVILY WOODED AREA AND WAS SLOWED TO ABOUT 45-50 KNOTS, AND JUST BEFORE IMPACT THE CONTROL YOKE WAS PULLED FULLY REARWARD AND HELD IN THAT POSITION IN AN EFFORT TO HELP REDUCE THE FORCES OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84691](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84691-1994-07-19), registration cancelled 1994-07-19, S/N 288216067 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-82-16067
- Airframe hours: 1240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: The Plane Thing, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1985, 78 hours before
- Departed: F41, ENNIS, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ILE, Killeen Municipal, runway 17, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 18 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILE, 1 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 19851013051489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851013051489A), Oct 13, 1985: Piper PA28161, Killeen, TX, Substantial damage. Landed in trees short of runway after fuel was exhausted.

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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