# NTSB FTW94LA275: Piper PA-28-140, N41472, Russellville, AR, August 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1994, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Russellville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.269088, -93.140182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2691&lon=-93.1402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA275

## Probable cause

VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

WHILE VFR EN ROUTE, THE WEATHER AT THE DESTINATION 30 MILES AWAY DETERIORATED TO IFR. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DEVIATE AROUND THE WEATHER. NOW LOW ON FUEL, THE PILOT CONTINUED ON TOWARD THE AIRPORT IN LOWERING CEILINGS AT 700 FEET AGL. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE 3.5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT.  DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN THE RIGHT WING STRUCK FENCE POST AND DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE RIGHT WING SKIN, WING RIBS, AND RIGHT FLAP. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL REMAINED IN BOTH FUEL TANKS.

## Factual narrative

On August 20, 1994, at 1245 central daylight time, a Piper    PA-28-140, N41472, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Russellville, Arkansas.  The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions en route deteriorated to instrument meteorological conditions.

The pilot reported that flight deviations to avoid clouds were started when the airplane was about 30 miles from destination and that the weather continued to worsen.  A descent was made to 700 feet above the ground at about 3.5 miles from the airport.  A total loss of engine power occurred and the pilot initiated an emergency descent.  During the landing flare/touchdown the right wing of the airplane struck several metal fence posts.  The airplane came to rest upright in a field.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and drained fuel from the right fuel tank sump for 45 seconds and the left fuel tank sump for 1 minute and 15 seconds. The inspector said the amount was unusable fuel.  Damage was observed to the right wing ribs, wing skin, and flap.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41472](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41472), registered now, S/N 28-7425245, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425245
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sugarland Flight Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SGR, SUGARLAND, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 50 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 19940820022369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940820022369A), Aug 20, 1994: Piper PA28140, Russellville, AR, Substantial damage. Encountered weather deviated low on fuel ran out three miles short of airport. Struck a fence post landing.

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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