# NTSB FTW93LA023: Piper PA-30, N7629Y, Hillsboro, TX, October 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1992, 19:20 local (Oct 26, 1992, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, TX
- Coordinates: 32.000015, -97.110321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0000&lon=-97.1103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA023

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - 2 engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - pole
- Main gear collapsed, other

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT ON A 536 NAUTICAL MILES CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FLEW FOR FOUR HOURS AND TWELVE MINUTES BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON THE RETURN LEG OF HIS FLIGHT. HE HAD TAKEN OFF WITH 84 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AND DID NOT REFUEL AT HIS OVERNIGHT STOP. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING NEXT TO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, BOTH MAIN LANDING GEARS COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT WING IMPACTED A UTILITY POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7629Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7629Y-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 30-705, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-705
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sun Belt Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Sun Belt Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 1992, 46 hours before
- Departed: HOT, HOT SPRINGS, AR
- Destination: F60, MCGREGOR, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 232 total, 45 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 34 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 19921025046339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921025046339A), Oct 25, 1992: Piper PA30, Hillsboro, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power both engines. Crash landed at freeway exit. No fuel on board. Miscaculated fuel quanity on departure.

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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