# NTSB MIA96LA154: Piper PA-28-180, N9640J, Jasper, FL, June 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 1996, 08:56 local (12:56 UTC) - Place: Jasper, FL - Coordinates: 30.510183, -82.949859 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5102&lon=-82.9499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38028 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38028/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA154 ## Probable cause the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. 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, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis Before takeoff 15 gallons of fuel were added to the less-than-full fuel tanks. The flight departed and while en route the engine quit. The pilot then repositioned the fuel selector and the engine regained power. The flight continued and the engine quit again. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right fuel tanks were not damaged and contained 12 ounces and 55 ounces of fuel respectively. Staining aft of each wing fuel tank cap was not observed. The pilot stated that for fuel consumption calculations he planned on 8 gallons per hour. The pilot's operating handbook indicates that the fuel consumption for the power, and altitude flown is 10 gallons per hour. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 1996, about 0856 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9640J, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Jasper, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot was not injured and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 0732 from the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. The accident flight was the last leg of a 5-leg cross country flight and before departure from Lakeland, 15 gallons of fuel were added to the fuel tanks. The pilot initially stated that after departure during cruise flight at 3,000 feet mean sea level at 75 percent power, west of the Gainesville Regional Airport, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and he repositioned the fuel selector and the engine restarted. He then noted an odor of fuel but continued the flight toward the destination. At 0852, the pilot advised the Valdosta Air Traffic Control Tower controller of an engine failure and the flight was "low on fuel." At 0854, the pilot advised the controller that the flight was going down. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field. He further stated that during the fuel consumption calculations he used 8 gallons per hour. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed that the left and right fuel tanks were not breached and found to contain 12 ounces and 55 ounces of fuel respectively. The gascolator was drained and found to contain about 3 tablespoons of fuel. The fuel line from the gascolator to the carburetor was disconnected and found to contain only drops of fuel. The fuel selector was positioned to the left fuel tank and there was no evidence of staining aft of either wing fuel tank cap. Fuel staining was noted on the bottom of the left wing fuel tank skin. Examination of the airplane after recovery by a FAA certified mechanic with inspection authorization revealed no evidence of leakage from the fuel lines. Review of the airplane records revealed that the airplane had been operated for a total of 6.9 hours according to a Hobbs meter since the airplane was rented. The fuel tanks were reportedly full when the airplane was rented. The pilot's operating handbook indicates that on the accident flight the fuel consumption is 10 gallons per hour. Review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he performed a total of six touch-and-go landings on the flight to Punta Gorda, and three touch-and-go landings on the flight from there to Lakeland earlier that morning. His logbook also indicates that he flew the airplane a total of 3.8 hours excluding the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9640J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9640J-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 28-3864, 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: 28-3864 - Airframe hours: 6303 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Interstate Aircraft Services - Registered owner: Robert Beggs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1995, 81 hours before - Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL - Destination: VLD, VALDOSTA, GA - Airport: VLD, Valdosta Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 383 total, 362 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VLD, 21 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 19960609013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960609013159A), Jun 9, 1996: Piper PA28180, Valdosta, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran out of fuel and made an emergency landing in a corn field. Wing tip struck a pine tree. ## Other investigations on N9640J (3) 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. - [NTSB MIA98LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA044), Dec 22, 1997: Piper PA-28-180 (N9640J), Everglades City, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper fuel management and improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Related factors were: the light… - [NTSB OAK71DXQ24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71DXQ24), Nov 16, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N9640J), Winnemucca, NV, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA67D0338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0338), Jun 3, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N9640J), Salmon, ID, substantial damage 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.