# NTSB FTW87LA202: Piper PA-28-181, N6895J, Bridgeport, TX, August 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1987, 19:20 local (Aug 20, 1987, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, TX
- Location: 33.2136° N, 97.7752° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bridgeport, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2136&lon=-97.7752&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 May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA202

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - other (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 5500 FEET MSL BUT RESTARTED WHEN THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. HE THEN HEADED FOR THE NEAREST AIRPORT WHICH WAS AT BRIDGEPORT, TX. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A HAY FIELD ABOUT A HALF MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BALE OF HAY DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE. THE PILOT HAD OVERFLOWN HIS PLANNED ENROUTE REFUELING POINT DUE TO KNOWN AIRCRAFT STARTER PROBLEMS AND RELIANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL GAUGE READINGS WHEN HE REACHED THE PLANNED REFUELING POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6895J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6895J-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 28-7690423, built 1976 (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: 28-7690423
- Airframe hours: 4199
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: B P Aero Club
- Registered owner: Jennings Aero Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1986
- Departed: FNL, FORT COLLINS, CO
- Destination: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 169 total, 20 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 30 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 19870819049169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870819049169A), Aug 19, 1987: Piper PA28181, Bridgeport, TX, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft hit a bale of hay short of the airport. Blamed fuel gauges.

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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