# NTSB IAD05LA105: Piper PA-28-180, N7767N, Copake, NY, July 20, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 2005, 16:42 local (20:42 UTC) - Place: Copake, NY - Coordinates: 42.133056, -73.598609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1331&lon=-73.5986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 62015 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62015/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane was fueled to a point just above the "tabs" in the fuel tanks, which he estimated to be 40 gallons of fuel. After his preflight, he departed on a cross country flight, and climbed to 5,500 feet msl. After descending to 2,500 feet msl, the engine began to "sputter" and lost power. After advising Air Traffic Control (ATC) of his problem, ATC advised the pilot of the closest airport. During the descent, the pilot attempted to restart the engine without result. The propeller continued to windmill and no fuel pressure was indicated. He tried to start the engine again, and switch tanks, but again the engine did not start. He continued to glide the airplane to the airport which ATC had identified, but realized he would not make it, and decided to attempt an off airport landing. On approach to a field, he passed over some trees and a house, and selected "full flaps" for landing. The field was "too short," and after gliding the length of the field, the airplane impacted trees and was substantially damaged. The airplane had been airborne for approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. During an interview, the pilot stated "that he had over 5 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank and 15 to 20 gallons in the right fuel tank." Examination of the fuel system revealed that, the carburetor bowl was dry. No fuel was visible in the fuel tanks and no evidence of fuel staining or spillage was present at the accident site. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 2005, at 1642 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7767N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Copake, New York. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed Clearfield-Lawrence Airport (FIG), Clearfield, Pennsylvania, destined for Walter J. Koladza Airport (GBR), Great Barrington, Massachusetts. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, about 1420, the airplane was filled with fuel to a point just above the "tabs" in the fuel tanks, which the pilot estimated to be about 40 gallons of fuel. After completing his preflight, which included "sumping" the fuel tanks, he departed for Great Barrington about 1500. On departure from Clearfield, he climbed the airplane to 3,500 feet msl; and switched to the right fuel tank near Scranton, Pennsylvania. As he approached the Catskill Mountains, he climbed to an altitude of 5,500 feet msl. After passing over the Hudson River he descended to 2,500 feet msl. A few minutes later the engine began to "sputter," and then lost power. After advising the Albany approach control facility of his problem, the approach controller advised the pilot that the closest airport was approximately 6 miles from his position near Copake, New York. During the descent, the pilot switched to the left fuel tank, placed the mixture control in the full rich position, turned the electric fuel pump on, turned on the carburetor heat, and tried to restart the engine without result. The propeller continued to windmill during the descent and the pilot noted that no fuel pressure was indicated by the fuel pressure gauge. He tried to start the engine again, and switched back to the right fuel tank. The engine again did not start, and no fuel pressure was indicated. He decided that he was "running out of time," and continued to glide the airplane to the airport which the approach control facility had identified. The pilot realized he would not make the airport, and decided to attempt an off airport landing in a field. On approach to the field he passed over some high trees and a house, then selected "full flaps" for landing. The field was "too short," he was unable to land, and after gliding the length of the field the airplane impacted trees at the opposite end. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane came to rest in a wooded area, with the left and right wings separated from the main fuselage. During an interview conducted by a police officer, the pilot stated "that he had over 5 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank and 15 to 20 gallons in the right fuel tank." Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. Examination of the fuel system revealed that when electrical power was applied to the airplane, the auxiliary electric fuel pump motor operated. The fuel strainer contained approximately 2 ounces of fuel, but the carburetor bowl was dry. No blockage or contamination of the fuel system was evident. According to the airplane manufacturer, fuel quantity as indicated by the filler neck indicators (tabs) was 36 gallons. This advisory information was originally placarded at each fuel filler port. Examination of the airplane revealed, however; that the original placards had been removed and were replaced, with placards that did not contain the filler neck indicator information. A review of the fuel provider's records revealed that the aircraft was filled with 14.2 gallons of fuel, prior to the accident flight. According to the police officer that was first on scene and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, they attempted to check the quantity of fuel in the airplane by looking into the fuel tanks, and were unable to observe any fuel. No smell of fuel was noted at the accident site, and no evidence of fuel staining or spillage was present. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7767N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7767N-2006-08-30), registration cancelled 2006-08-30, S/N 28-5214, built 1968 (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: 28-5214 - Airframe hours: 7662 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2005, 4.5 hours before - Departed: FIG, Clearfield, PA - Destination: GBR, Great Barringto, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,157 total, 888 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: PSF, 36 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 20050720015379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050720015379A), Jul 20, 2005: Piper PA28180, Copake, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) While enroute from fig (clearfield, Pennsylvania) to gbr (great barrington, Massachusetts) the aircraft lost power forcing the pilot to make an emergency… 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.