# NTSB MIA89LA067: Piper PA-28R-200, N9378N, Rose Hill, MS, January 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1989, 19:12 local (Jan 11, 1989, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: Rose Hill, MS
- Coordinates: 32.430458, -88.460868 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4305&lon=-88.4609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA067

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON AND FUEL STARVATION FROM IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  NIGHT AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - electrical system - inoperative
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING AN INSTRUMENT ARRIVAL AT NIGHT, HE ENCOUNTERED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS & WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY RECEIVING THE ILS SIGNAL. HE ABANDONED THE APCH & FINALLY HAD TO USE HIS FLASHLIGHT TO FLY THE ACFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN POOR WX CONDS AT NIGHT. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE MASTER SW WAS TURNED ON & THE FUEL PUMPS, RADIOS & ELECTRICALLY POWERED FLT & NAV INSTRUMENTS OPERATED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE AIRPORT ILS SYS WAS FLT TESTED BY THE FAA & WAS FOUND TO BE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. A CHECK OF THE INTACT FUEL SYS REVEALED THERE WAS TWO QUARTS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK & 9 QUARTS IN THE LEFT TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK. ALSO, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE INJECTOR LINES TO THE CYLINDERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9378N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9378N-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 28R35087 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R35087
- Airframe hours: 1254
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Sexton, Charles W.
- Registered owner: Sexton Janitorial Systems Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1988, 57 hours before
- Departed: OA6, GASTONIA, NC
- Destination: MEI, MERIDIAN, MS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 976 total, 271 in this make and model, 864 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEI, 20 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 19890110025199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890110025199A), Jan 10, 1989: Piper PA28R200, Rose Hill, MS, Substantial damage. Reported electrical problems unable to complete ILS approach. Ran out of fuel while circling area. No defects found

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.

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