# NTSB FTW99LA056: Piper PA-32-260, N7724J, Fabens, TX, December 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 30, 1998, 15:05 local (22:05 UTC) - Place: Fabens, TX - Coordinates: 31.499946, -106.150779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4999&lon=-106.1508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45549 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45549/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA056 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to correctly calculate fuel consumption, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. 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, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis About 5 hours 13 minutes into a cross-country flight, the airplane's engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane touched down on the up-slope of a sand dune. The pilot reported that he 'inspected all 4 fuel tanks following refueling prior to departure.' The pilot further reported that he performed fuel calculations at about 3 hours into the flight using fuel gauge readings, and 'fuel usage [was] estimated at 12 gph.' The operator reported that the airplane's normal fuel consumption was 15 to 18 gallons per hour, and that the airplane's average fuel consumption for its previous two flights was calculated to be 16.27 gallons per hour. The airplane's four fuel tanks held a total of 84 gallons, of which 80 gallons were useable. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 1998, at 1505 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N7724J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power near Fabens, Texas. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by Wings of Houston of Spring, Texas. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, Spring, Texas, with a destination of El Paso, Texas, about 5 hours 13 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he "inspected all 4 fuel tanks following refueling prior to departure." The pilot further reported that he performed fuel calculations at about 3 hours into the flight using fuel gauge readings, and "fuel usage [was] estimated at 12 gph." About 25 nautical miles prior to the Hudspeth VORTAC, he switched to the left main fuel tank, which indicated 20 gallons (tank was used for takeoff and initial climb). At about 20 miles prior to the Hudspeth VORTAC, the left main fuel gauge dropped to about 13 gallons. The closest airport with services (Fabens) was located and a turn was made toward the airport. The pilot notified El Paso approach control of his low fuel status and was given radar vectors to the Fabens Airport. Prior to reaching the airport, the engine lost power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane touched down on the up-slope of a sand dune. The person who recovered the aircraft reported to the investigator-in-charge (IIC) that the left wing was partially separated from the fuselage. The left main landing gear was separated, the fuselage was wrinkled near the tail, and the left horizontal stabilizer was bent. The recovery person also reported that he drained all fuel tanks, and the only fuel recovered was eight ounces from the right outboard tank. He observed no evidence of the fuel system being compromised. His examination of the cockpit revealed that the fuel selector was selecting the right outboard fuel tank. The operator reported to the IIC that the airplane's normal fuel consumption was 15 to 18 gallons per hour. The operator further reported that the airplane's average fuel consumption for its previous two flights was calculated to be 16.27 gallons per hour. The airplane's four fuel tanks hold a total of 84 gallons, of which 80 gallons are useable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7724J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7724J-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 32-1126, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-1126 - Airframe hours: 4840 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-EAB5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph R. Mock - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 1998, 70 hours before - Departed: DWH, SPRING, TX - Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 356 total, 53 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP, 21 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 19981230034419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981230034419A), Dec 30, 1998: Piper PA32260, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. Acft was low on fuel with a rough running engine, and the pilot made an emergency landing in a field. (.4) on December 30, 1998, at 1505 mountain standard… 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.