# NTSB FTW91LA071: Piper PA-28, N29049, Longview, TX, May 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1991, 00:05 local (05:05 UTC)
- Place: Longview, TX
- Location: 32.5007° N, 94.7405° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Longview, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5007&lon=-94.7405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA071

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTING IN A COMPLETE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PIC/CFI'S FAILURE TO REFUEL AT INTERMEDIATE DESTINATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - animal(s)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTIONAL ROUND-ROBIN IFR FLIGHT HAD CANCELLED IFR ON ITS FINAL LEG. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND INSTRUCTOR EXCHANGED SEATS WITH THE RATED PASSENGER PILOT OCCUPYING THE RIGHT REAR SEAT. AFTER 3.5 HOURS ELAPSED TIME THE RATED PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION BECAME THE PIC AND CONTINUED SIMULATED INSTRUMENT FLYING WITH THE RATED PASSENGER ACTING AS SAFETY PILOT. THE FUEL PLANNING HAD BEEN CONDUCTED BY BOTH PILOT'S. THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A COW. TOTAL FLIGHT TIME WAS 4.3 HOURS. DURING THE ROUND ROBIN, THE FLIGHT LANDED AT CORSICANA, TEXAS, BUT NO FUEL WAS PURCHASED. IN THE VICINITY OF TEXARKANA, TEXAS, THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED ABOUT 5 GALLONS APIECE AS THE FLIGHT INITIATED TIS FINAL LEG TO ITS HOME AIRPORT. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED ABOUT 10 MILES SHORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29049](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29049), registered now, S/N 28-7990429, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- 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: 28-7990429
- Airframe hours: 2182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Le Tourneau University
- Registered owner: Le Tourneau University
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 17, 1991, 95 hours before
- Departed: CRS, CORSICANA, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 242 total, 61 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910501023919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910501023919A), May 1, 1991: Piper PA28181, Longview, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Last leg IFR dual crosscountry. On night forced landing struck cow. CFI was in rear seat.

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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