# NTSB FTW89LA050: Piper PA-28-180, N5258L, Seminole, TX, February 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1989, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Seminole, TX
- Coordinates: 32.710159, -102.65026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7102&lon=-102.6503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN UPDATING HIS WEATHER AND DIVERTING TO AN ALTERNATE DESTINATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM LACK OF FUEL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AT THE EN ROUTE STOP, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - updating of recorded weather information - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RCVD A WX BRIEFING AT 0543 CST FOR A FLT AT 0730 CST, FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, TO SAYRE, TX. WHILE AT SAYRE, HE DID NOT REFUEL THE ACFT OR UPDATE HIS WX INFO BEFORE DEPARTING AT 1045 CST ON A FLT TO ODESSA, TX. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE UPDATED HIS DESTN WX AT 1239 CST & ELECTED TO DIVERT TO HOBBS, NM, WHEN HE LEARNED THE WX AT ODESSA WAS BELOW LANDING MINIMUMS. HOWEVER, HE ENCOUNTERED A HEADWIND & HIS FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED BEFORE REACHING HOBBS. SUBSEQUENTLY, DRG AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE GEAR COLLAPSED ON SOFT/WET TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5258L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5258L-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 28-4555, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-4555
- Airframe hours: 2009
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robles, Robert R.
- Registered owner: Robles, Robert R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1988, 75 hours before
- Departed: OK23, SAYRE, TX
- Destination: HOB, ODESSA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 65 in this make and model, 2,375 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOB, 20 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 19890214001919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890214001919A), Feb 14, 1989: Piper PA28180, Seminole, TX, Substantial damage. Destination IMC. Changed to alternate but ran out of fuel en route.

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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