# NTSB FTW92LA041: Piper PA-28-235, N55839, Houston, TX, December 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1991, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.8182° N, 95.6726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WEST HOUSTON (IWS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8182&lon=-95.6726&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA041

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECTLY CALCULATE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, 50 - 75 FEET AGL, OF A NIGHT TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND WAS FORCED TO LAND IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD FAILED TO CALCULATE HIS FUEL USAGE, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION. AFTER LANDING THE AIRPLANES FUEL TANK SELECTION LEVER WAS PLACED TO A TANK WITH FUEL. FOLLOWING THE SELECTION CHANGE THE ENGINE WAS STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO ANOMALIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55839](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55839), registered now, S/N 28-7310133 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-73I033
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Jennings
- Registered owner: William J. Jennings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1991, 2 hours before
- Airport: IWS, West Houston, runway 33, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 186 total, 108 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 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 19911209055369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911209055369A), Dec 9, 1991: Piper PA28235, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout from touch and go. Landed straight ahead in golf course. Fuel selector on empty tip 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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