# NTSB FTW94LA276: Piper PA-28R-201, N94AA, Tulsa, OK, August 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1994, 22:30 local (Aug 23, 1994, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Tulsa, OK
- Coordinates: 36.149105, -95.899673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1491&lon=-95.8997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19144/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA276

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOLLOWING FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY IMPROPER TANK SELECTION BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE BEGAN 'RUNNING ERRATIC.' THE PILOT PERFORMED THE POWER LOSS PROCEDURES AND INITIATED A TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND CAME TO REST INVERTED WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT TANK WHICH CONTAINED NO FUEL. THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED 16 GALLONS.

## Factual narrative

On August 22, 1994, at 2230 central daylight time, a Piper     PA-28R-201, N94AA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight.

The Pilot/Operator report stated that the aircraft showed fuel in the right tank during the preflight.  During the initial climbing turn the engine was running "erratic."  The pilot switched fuel tanks and continued the emergency procedures.  The airplane struck trees and subsequently came to rest inverted on a heading of north.  The left wing was substantially damaged.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found no fuel in the right wing.  The fuel selector was on the right tank.  Approximately 16 gallons of fuel was found in the left tank.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94AA-1997-10-25), registration cancelled 1997-10-25, S/N 28R8118040 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8118040
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lewis, Tom
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,428 total, 300 in this make and model, 339 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 5 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 19940822022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940822022659A), Aug 22, 1994: Piper PA28RT201, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Struck trees. Fuel selector on empty 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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