# NTSB FTW96LA302: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N810EM, Rogers, AR, July 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1996, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Rogers, AR - Coordinates: 36.330039, -94.13076 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3300&lon=-94.1308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19907 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA302 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19907/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA302 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel. Factors were the below landing minimums weather conditions and 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, approach - weather condition - fog - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to witnesses and law enforcement personnel at the accident site, the pilot executed 3 missed approaches at the Rogers Municipal Airport while attempting to land with weather below published minimums. At 0734, the pilot reported to ATC that he was low on fuel. Two minutes later, the pilot reported that he was out of fuel. The airplane was last observed on radar descending through 1,500 feet, and subsequently impacted trees approximately one mile northwest of the airport. Examination of the wreckage confirmed that both fuel cells were empty. Attempts to obtain a report from the pilot were unsuccessful. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1996, at 0740 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N810EM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power near Rogers, Arkansas. The instrument rated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, and his passenger was seriously injured. The airplane, owned and operated by a private owner, was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which an instrument flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Tupelo, Mississippi, at approximately 0600. According to witnesses and law enforcement personnel at the accident site, the pilot executed 3 missed approaches at the Rogers Municipal Airport while attempting to land with weather below published minimums. At 0734, the pilot reported to ATC that he was low on fuel. Two minutes later, the pilot reported that he was out of fuel. The airplane was last observed on radar descending through 1,500 feet, and subsequently impacted trees approximately one mile northwest of the airport. The FAA inspector at the accident site reported that the left wing separated from the airframe and the airplane came to a stop on its left side. The empennage was found partially separated and twisted to the right. The nose and right main landing gear were collapsed and the engine penetrated into the cockpit area. No significant blade leading edge damage was found on either propeller blade. Examination of the fuel cells revealed by local authorities and the aircraft recovery crew revealed that no usable fuel remained in either fuel cell. Repeated attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Report from the pilot were unsuccessful. He could not be reached telephonically either. The enclosed NTSB form 6120.1/2 was completed by the owners of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N810EM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N810EM-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 32R-7887024, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7887024 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ernie & Theresa Lundy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1996 - Departed: TUP, TUPELO, MS - Destination: ROG - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROG ## 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 19960713017089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960713017089A), Jul 13, 1996: Piper PA32RT300T, Rogers, AR, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel and engine quit, crashed. (-23) on July 13, 1996, at 0740 CDT, a Piper PA32RT-300T, N810EM, flown by greg mccabe was demolished during a forced… 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.