# NTSB FTW90FA167: Piper PA-28-140, N55234, Bulverde, TX, August 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1990, 01:32 local (06:32 UTC)
- Place: Bulverde, TX
- Coordinates: 29.769815, -98.450851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7698&lon=-98.4509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23035
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23035/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA167

## Probable cause

MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE, THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION, AND THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, 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)

## Analysis

THE STU PLT AND ONE PAX WERE ON A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLT WHEN A TTL NON-MECHANICAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PLT WAS IN CONTACT WITH ATC AND REQ'D CLEARANCE TO LAND. ATC GRANTED THE REQUEST AND OFFERED INFO ON A CLOSER ARPT. THE PLT INITIALLY REJECTED THE ALTERNATE ARPT AND REQ'D TO CONTINUE INBOUND. ACCORDING TO THE PAX, THE PLT MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT COULD NOT DO SO DURING THE FORCED LANDING. AFTER A MINUTE THE PLT REQ'D VECTORS TO THE ALTERNATE ARPT WHICH WERE TRANSMITTED TO HIM. HE ESTABLISHED A 70 MPH GLIDE TOWARD THE ARPT AND CONTINUED TO ATTEMPT A RESTART. HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS SEVERAL TIMES AND USED THE PRIMER DURING THESE ATTEMPTS. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED INTO TREES APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE SOUTHWEST OF THE ALTERNATE ARPT. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THE RIGHT TANK EMPTY AND THE LEFT TANK ONE QUARTER FULL. THE RIGHT TANK WAS FOUND SELECTED. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST RUN AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55234](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55234-1995-07-12), registration cancelled 1995-07-12, S/N 287325348 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325348
- Airframe hours: 3368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hangar Aviation Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1990, 65 hours before
- Departed: T82, FREDERICKSBURG, TX
- Destination: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 119 total, 7 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 15 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 19900828036609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900828036609A), Aug 28, 1990: Piper PA28140, Bulverde, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Student reported engine out on night flight. Struck trees on vector to airport. No dual or solo endorsements.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.