# NTSB FTW96LA206: Piper PA-28-140, N7426R, Claude, TX, May 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 1996, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Claude, TX - Coordinates: 35.10057, -101.35997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1006&lon=-101.3600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 26, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19834 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19834/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA206 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Soft terrain was a related factor concerning nose over in the emergency landing area. ## 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 - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis Three hours and 50 minutes into a cross-country flight, a total loss of engine power occurred. During a subsequent forced landing in a plowed field, the airplane nosed over. According to local authorities, the pilot stated that the airplane 'ran out of fuel.' An examination revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. On the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had 'stopped for fuel.' ## Factual narrative On May 10, 1996, at 1250 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7426R, impacted terrain during a forced landing near Claude, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot and the passenger received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Lufkin, Texas, 3 hours and 50 minutes before the accident. Local authorities reported that the pilot stated that the airplane "ran out of fuel." During personal interviews, conducted by the FAA inspector, the pilot reported switching fuel tanks approximately every 30 minutes during the cross country flight. The right fuel tank was empty about 27 miles from the destination airport at Amarillo, Texas. The pilot switched to the left fuel tank which he estimated contained 5 to 6 gallons of fuel; however, the "engine quit." During the landing roll in a plowed field, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane rolled across the furrows before coming to rest in an inverted position. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that both fuel tanks were empty. Damage was reported to the nose gear, vertical stabilizer, cockpit (crushed inward 6 inches) and the leading edge wing stringers. On the Pilot/Operator Report a safety recommendation was submitted. The pilot stated that this accident could have been prevented if he had "stopped for fuel." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7426R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7426R-1998-01-07), registration cancelled 1998-01-07, S/N 2821954 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-21954 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel J. Welsch, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1995 - Departed: LFT, LUFKIN, TX - Destination: AMA, AMARILLO, TX - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 129 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 19 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AMA, 8 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 19960510010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960510010279A), May 10, 1996: Piper PA28140, Claude, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft was being vectored to amarillo, reported fuel exhaustion , emergency landing in a field, flipped over. (-23) on may 10, 1996, at 1256 central, Piper… 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.