# NTSB FTW90LA129: Piper PA24-180, N5256P, Arlington, TX, June 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1990, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Coordinates: 32.749259, -97.080596 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7493&lon=-97.0806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23148/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA129

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO SELECT A TANK WITH FUEL AND THE IMPROPER LOWERING OF FLAPS WHILE PERFORMING A FORCED LANDING RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT LANDING SHORT AND COLLIDING WITH A FENCE.

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence post
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON THE BASE LEG FOR LANDING. THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER DUE TO DEPLETION OF THE FUEL IN THE SELECTED TANK. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART AFTER SWITCHING TO THE OTHER FUEL TANK AS HE WAS EXECUTING AN EMERGENCY LANDING TOWARD THE AIRPORT. DURING THE DESCENT, THE PILOT LOWERED THE FLAPS TO THE FULL DOWN POSITION. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK A 3 FEET HIGH FENCE POST AND A HARD LANDING RESULTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5256P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5256P-1990-11-28), registration cancelled 1990-11-28, S/N 24288 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-288
- Airframe hours: 3447
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wollaston, Charles R.
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1990, 8 hours before
- Departed: RVS, TULSA, OK
- Destination: F54, ARLINGTON, TX
- Airport: F54, Arlington Muni, runway 16, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 470 total, 87 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 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 19900630023069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900630023069A), Jun 30, 1990: Piper PA24, Arlington, TX, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion on short final,struck fence post on power off landing. Empty left tank. Fuel selector on right tank

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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