# NTSB LAX97LA060: Piper PA-32R-301T, N3566X, Tusayan, AZ, December 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 1996, 10:36 local (17:36 UTC) - Place: Tusayan, AZ - Coordinates: 36.030609, -112.020301 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0306&lon=-112.0203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29696/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA060 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his miscalculation of the fuel required for the flight. ## 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) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot called the tower on the radio at 1009 and stated he was inbound to the airport with a low fuel state. Shortly thereafter, the pilot reported that the engine had quit and he would not make the runway. The aircraft landed on a forest service road and collided with trees during the ground roll. In a written statement to responding sheriff's deputies the pilot reported that he 'miscalculated the fuel for the duration of the trip and ran out of gas.' Examination of the fuel system revealed that it was intact and contained only residual fuel. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 1996, at 1036 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N3566X, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing on a fire service road near the Grand Canyon Airport, Tusayan, Arizona. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the four passengers onboard were not injured. The aircraft was operated by the pilot on a personal cross-country flight from St. George, Utah, to the Grand Canyon Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The flight departed St. George on the day of the accident at an undetermined time. According to the Federal Aviation Administation Air Traffic Control Tower at Grand Canyon, the pilot called on the radio at 1009 and stated he was inbound to the airport with a low fuel state. Shortly thereafter, the pilot reported that the engine had quit and he would not make the runway. The aircraft landed on forest service road FS328 and collided with trees during the ground roll. In a written statement to responding Coconino County Sheriff's deputies the pilot reported that he "miscalculated the fuel for the duration of the trip and ran out of gas." Air Transport of Phoenix, Arizona, is the aircraft salvage firm retained by the owner to retrieve the wreckage. The crew who picked up the aircraft were interviewed by telephone. They reported that as they disassembled the aircraft the fuel system was documented to be intact, with only residual fuel in the tanks and lines. The pilot did not respond to repeated mail and telephone requests for a statement. ## Aircraft - Registration: N3566X (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8029029 - Engines: Lycoming TSIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clyde W. Crownover - Registered owner: John V. Shelton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SGU, ST GEORGE, UT - Destination: GCN - Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GCN, 7 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 19961201036899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961201036899A), Dec 1, 1996: Piper PA32R301T, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft was inbound to airport, low on fuel, made emergency landing on a fire road near airport. (.4)the pilot called the tower on the radio at 1009 and… 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.