# NTSB GAA18CA307: Piper PA28, N95410, Butler, KY, May 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2018, 18:18 local (22:18 UTC) - Place: Butler, KY - Coordinates: 38.728889, -84.394996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7289&lon=-84.3950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97346 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97346/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97346 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA307 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation. ## 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 management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while en route, the airplane's engine began to run roughly and lose power. He immediately turned toward the nearest airport and slowed the airplane to 100 knots. He added that he pushed the mixture to full rich, which caused a short burst of power that lasted just a few seconds. He then pumped the throttle and applied carburetor heat but then realized he did not have enough altitude to make the airport and began to look for an alternate landing site. The pilot further added that, after locating a ridgetop field, he slowed the airplane to 75 knots and pulled one notch of flaps and trimmed for landing. As he lined the airplane up with the field, he pulled full flaps about 300 ft above the ground. The touchdown was smooth, and the airplane continued the landing roll in 3-ft-tall wheat. Subsequently, the right wing struck an industrial irrigation nozzle, and the right wing separated from the fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and stabilator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, during the engine failure, he did not attempt to change the fuel tank from the empty right wing fuel tank and recommended to make the fuel selector check the first part of the restart procedure. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, while on scene, he was able to run the engine. He added that the left tank was about 1/2 full of fuel. He switched the fuel selector to the left tank and started the engine normally. The oil pressure was fine; the fuel pressure was normal on both the electric pump and engine-driven pump; and the magnetos checked fine. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while enroute, the airplane's engine began to run rough and lose power. He immediately turned toward the nearest airport and slowed the airplane to 100 knots. He added that he pushed the mixture to full rich, which caused a short burst of power that lasted just a few seconds. He then pumped the throttle and applied carburetor heat, but then realized he did not have enough altitude to make the airport and began to look for an alternate landing site. He further added, that after locating a ridge top field, he slowed the airplane to 75 knots and pulled one notch of flaps and trimmed for landing. As he lined the airplane up with the field he pulled full flaps at about 300 ft above the ground. The touchdown was smooth and the airplane continued the landing roll in wheat that was approximately 3 ft tall. Subsequently, the right wing struck an industrial irrigation nozzle and the right wing separated from the fuselage. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and stabilator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, during the engine failure, he did not attempt to change fuel tanks from the empty right wing fuel tank, and as a recommendation to make the fuel selector check the first part of the restart procedure. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, while on scene, he was able to run the engine. He added, the left tank was approximately ½ full of fuel. He switched the fuel selector to the left tank and started the engine normally. The oil pressure was fine; fuel pressure normal on both the electric pump and engine driven pump; and the magnetos checked fine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95410](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95410-2019-02-14), registration cancelled 2019-02-14, S/N 28-25930 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25930 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 3885 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 2017 - Departed: TKX, Kennett, MO - Destination: TZR, Columbus, OH - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 552 total, 259 in this make and model, 442 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KLUK, 22 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 20180527012659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180527012659A), May 27, 2018: Piper PA-28-140, Butler, KY, Substantial damage. 1. Engine power loss during cruise 2. Attempted diversion to nearest airport, unable to make airport landed in field. 3. Impacted unseen irrigation sprinkler… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97346. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 885 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.