# NTSB MIA91LA028: Piper PA-28-180, N4820L, Inverness, MS, November 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1990, 14:39 local (20:39 UTC)
- Place: Inverness, MS
- Coordinates: 33.349746, -90.589622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3497&lon=-90.5896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA028

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WERE: UEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE, AND SOFT TERRAIN.

## 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
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ON A THREE LEG X-COUNTRY FLT, THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED ABOUT 36 GALS. THE FLT DEPARTED & A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING WAS PERFORMED AT THE FIRST ARPT & A FULL STOP LANDING WAS PERFORMED AT THE SECOND. THE FLT TIME WAS 2 HRS 10 MIN. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FOR THE RETURN FLT, THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED THAT THE LT & RT FUEL TANKS CONTAINED 5 & 10 GALS RESPECTIVELY. THE STUDENT'S CFI STATED THAT HE ADVISED THE STUDENT TO PURCHASE FUEL FOR THE RETURN FLT, BUT THE STUDENT DID NOT. THE FLT DEPARTED & ABOUT 30 MIN INTO THE FLT DURING NORMAL CRUISE AT 4,500FT, THE ENG QUIT. HE RESTARTED THE ENG BUT IT QUIT AGAIN DURING A CLIMB. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AGAIN. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4820L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4820L), registered now, S/N 28-4160, built 1967 (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: 28-4160
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brice Box, Jr.
- Departed: HKS, JACKSON, MS
- Destination: IDL, INDIANAOLA, MS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GLH, 25 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 19901118051019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901118051019A), Nov 18, 1990: Piper PA28180, Inverness, MS, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Nosed over in plowed field trying to land on road.CFI advised student to get gas en route

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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