# NTSB FTW93LA042: Piper PA-28-180, N15813, New Orleans, LA, November 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1992, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 29.960182, -90.160552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9602&lon=-90.1606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA042

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE THE INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND 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, descent - normal
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - sign

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE OPERATIONS. THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN FOR FIVE HOURS AND 50 MINUTES AT THE TIME OF LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. DURING THE LANDING TO A CURVED ROAD THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROAD SIGN AND A FENCE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED NO FUEL SPILLAGE. DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE ONLY TRACES OF FUEL WERE FOUND IN THE RIGHT WING AND THE LEFT WING CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY A HALF A PINT OF 100LL FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15813](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15813-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 28-7305153, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 7305153
- Airframe hours: 3947
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A48 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald H. Jacques
- Registered owner: Donald H. Jacques
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 1992, 51 hours before
- Departed: CRG, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 249 total, 147 in this make and model, 199 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 10 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 19921126047919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921126047919A), Nov 26, 1992: Piper PA28180, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on IFR clearance 10 miles short of destination. Trying to land on road curve struck sign and fence.

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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