# NTSB GAA17CA089: Piper PA 28, N2367R, Thomson, GA, December 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 2, 2016, 18:28 local (23:28 UTC) - Place: Thomson, GA - Coordinates: 33.529167, -82.506385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5292&lon=-82.5064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94459 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94459/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94459 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on a cross-country flight, he diverted from his destination to a nearby airport due to low fuel. He added that the right fuel tank "went dry" and that the engine lost power on downwind, so he switched to the left fuel tank, and the engine momentarily restarted before it experienced a total power loss of power on base. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the instrument landing system lights, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that he miscalculated the fuel and "ran out of gas." A postaccident examination found about 1 cup of fuel in one of the tanks. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on a cross country flight he diverted from his destination to a nearby airport due to low fuel. He added that the right fuel tank "went dry" and the engine lost power on downwind, so he switched to the left fuel tank and the engine momentarily restarted before it experienced a total power loss on base. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the instrument landing system lights, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2367R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2367R-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 28-5498, built 1969 (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: 28-5498 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2955 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 2016 - Departed: KLEE, Leesburg, FL - Destination: HQU, Thomson, GA - Airport: HQU, Thomson-Mcduffie County, runway 28, 5,514 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 12, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 605 total, 50 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KHQU ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94459. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 852 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 573 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.