# NTSB LAX07CA232: Piper PA-28-180, N919CA, Eagle Point, OR, August 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2007, 14:17 local (21:17 UTC) - Place: Eagle Point, OR - Coordinates: 42.468887, -122.719169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4689&lon=-122.7192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66359/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA232 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain during a forced landing in an open field. The pilot visually confirmed both fuel tanks were full prior to takeoff by looking into the tank and observing fuel at the filler neck level. During cruise the pilot adjusted the fuel/air mixture using the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge as a reference. Every 30 minutes during the flight, the pilot switched fuel tanks in order to attain an even fuel burn. About 3 hours 40 minutes into the flight the engine lost all power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and the power was restored. Concerned that the other tank may also have been low on fuel, he elected to divert to an airport in the immediate vicinity. He flew an additional 10 minutes and the engine again lost all power. The pilot made an emergency landing in an open field and the airplane sustained substantial damage. A local law enforcement officer, who responded to the accident site, visually verified that there was no fuel in either fuel tank. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2007, at 1417 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N919CA, collided with terrain during a forced landing near Eagle Point, Oregon. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Felts Field, Spokane, Washington, about 1140, with a planned destination of Rogue Valley Airport, Medford, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in a written report that during the preflight inspection he confirmed the fuel tanks were full by visually observing the fuel level at the filler necks. He attempted to start the engine, but was unable due to the battery containing insufficient charge. He exited the airplane, and proceeded to charge the battery. Once the battery had been charged, he successfully started the engine. The pilot then shutdown the engine and exited the airplane to use the restroom. Upon returning, he rechecked the fuel tank levels and noted that fuel was dripping from the vent overflow lines. He surmised that this was due to fuel expansion caused by the increasing air temperature on the ramp. The pilot then departed Felts Field on a southbound heading and climbed to 8,500 feet. He set the engine rpm to 2,480, and adjusted the fuel/air mixture using the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge as a reference. Over Pendleton, Oregon, he readjusted the mixture using the same procedure. After flying an additional 30 minutes, the pilot initiated a climb to 10,500 feet. Once established in a cruise configuration he again adjusted the mixture. He reported that every 30 minutes throughout the flight, he switched the fuel selector valve alternately between the left and right tanks, in order to attain an even fuel burn. The pilot stated that approximately 3 hours 40 minutes later, with the fuel tank selector set to the left tank, the engine lost all power. He switched the selector to the right tank and power was restored. He observed that both the left and right fuel gauges read 1/4 full. Concerned that the right tank may also have been low on fuel, he elected to divert to an airport in the immediate vicinity. Ten minutes later the engine again lost all power. The pilot configured the airplane for best glide speed, and after informing the control tower at Rogue Valley Airport of his situation, began searching for an alternate landing location. The pilot forced landed the airplane in an open field; the airplane received substantial damage to the wing spars, empennage and firewall. A local law enforcement officer inspected the fuel tanks on scene, and observed that they contained no fuel. The straight-line distance between Felts Field and Rogue Valley is 396 nautical miles. The pilot stated that the airframe and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N919CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N919CA-2008-06-23), registration cancelled 2008-06-23, S/N 28-4625, 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: 28-4625 - Airframe hours: 3277 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007, 6 hours before - Departed: SFF, Felts Field, WA - Destination: MFR, Rogue Valley, OR - Airport: MFR, Felts Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 71 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: MFR, 10 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 20070803018579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070803018579A), Aug 3, 2007: Piper PA28180, Medford, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost engine power adjacent to 1311 mountain drive, eagle point, OR. He landed in a field. Aircraft received major damage. Pilot checked the fuel… 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.