# NTSB FTW96LA040: Piper PA-28-180, N9504J, Fort Worth, TX, November 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 1995, 20:30 local (Nov 4, 1995, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.979393, -97.310966 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9794&lon=-97.3110&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19705/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA040 ## Probable cause INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, AND IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF. DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## 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 - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF AT NIGHT, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A GRASSY AREA ON AIRPORT PROPERTY. THE LANDING WAS HARD, WHICH RESULTED IN A DAMAGED WING SPAR. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS SINCE IT WAS LAST REFUELED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD UTILIZED THE LEFT FUEL TANK FOR THE 2 HOURS OF FLIGHT, AND 'FORGOT TO CHANGE THE FUEL SELECTOR OVER TO THE RIGHT TANK.' ACCORDING TO THE OWNER, EACH FUEL TANK HAD A CAPACITY OF 18 GALLONS, AND FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS APPROXIMATELY 9 GALLONS PER HOUR. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS FULL. ADDITIONALLY, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR OR GASCOLATOR. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S RECORDS, THE HOBBS METER READING WAS 1345.2 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THE HOBBS METER READING WAS 1347.2 HOURS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 1996, approximately 2030 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9504J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power after takeoff from Meacham Field, Fort Worth, Texas. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The rental airplane, owned by Charley Wilkerson, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The personal flight was en route to Sycamore Strip, Fort Worth, Texas. A flight plan was not filed and dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that, during the initial climb through 300 feet above ground level, the "stall warning indicator came on". One of the passengers "heard the engine "sputter," and the pilot "lowered the nose to regain airspeed." The pilot then, declared an emergency to the tower, made a right turn, and executed a forced landing to a grassy area on airport property. The pilot described the landing as "very hard." The flights originally departed from Sycamore Airstrip, at 1800, flew approximately 1 hour to Marietta, Oklahoma, and then flew approximately 1 hour to Meacham Field. The pilot reported that, the airplane "was full of fuel in both tanks" (18 gallons per tank), prior to departing Sycamore Airstrip. Additionally, the pilot reported that, he utilized the left fuel tank for the entire 2 hours of flight, and "forgot to change the fuel selector over to the right tank." According to the owner, the fuel consumption is "approximately 9 gallons per hour." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed structural damage to the right wing spar. The left main fuel tank was found to be empty and the right main fuel tank was full (18 gallons). No fuel was found in the carburetor or the fuel gascolator. According to the owner's records, the Hobbs meter reading was 1345.2 hours prior to the flight. The Hobbs meter reading was 1347.2 hours at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9504J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9504J-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 28-3625, built 1966 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3625 - Airframe hours: 5049 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charley Wilkerson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1995 - Departed: FTW - Destination: FTW, TX - Airport: FTW, Meacham Field, runway 34R, 7,501 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW ## 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 19951103036019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951103036019A), Nov 3, 1995: Piper PA28180, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Stall warning and engine miss on climbout. Made hard landing on grass. Ran a tank dry. Failed to switch. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.