# NTSB MIA92LA052: Piper PA-28-150, N5583W, Fayetteville, NC, December 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1991, 11:02 local (16:02 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.959205, -78.899955 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9592&lon=-78.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT IN THAT HE FAILED TO ASSURE ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT WAS AVAILABLE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT ONLY ESTIMATED HIS FUEL SUPPLY AND DID NOT CHECK IT. WHILE ESTABLISHED ON DOWNWIND LEG AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING.  ONLY ONE GALLON OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5583W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5583W-1993-04-04), registration cancelled 1993-04-04, S/N 28616 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150) (registry code 7102804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-616
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burnette, Richard J.
- Registered owner: Burnette, Richard J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1990
- Departed: 5W4, RAEFORD, NC
- Airport: FAY, Fayetteville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 72 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAY, 1 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 19911226057259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911226057259A), Dec 26, 1991: Piper PA28150, Fayetteville, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind for runway. Right wing sheared off by tree on forced landing. Both fuel tanks were empty.

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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