# NTSB MKC82DA033: Piper PA-28-151, N44710, Des Moines, IA, February 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1982, 18:30 local (Feb 16, 1982, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Coordinates: 41.629241, -93.740051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6292&lon=-93.7401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED AFTER A PREVIOUS FLIGHT OF ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE PILOT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL AND ESTIMATED 41 GALLONS REMAINING. HE BELIEVED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 5.2 HOURS OF FUEL. DURING AN IFR FLIGHT, HE DIVERTED FOR AN ENROUTE FUEL STOP WITH WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT FUEL. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING ABOUT 4.5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AFTER ABOUT 4.3 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE WINGS HIT METAL REFLECTORS AT THE END OF A BRIDGE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE PIPER PA-28, BUT HIS TIME IN A WARRIOR WAS MORE LIMITED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44710](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44710), registered now, S/N 28-7515012, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7515012
- Airframe hours: 1428
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Webster City Iron & Metal, Inc
- Registered owner: Webster City Iron & Metal, Inc
- Departed: CLARKSVILLE, TN
- Destination: WEBSTER CITY IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DSM, Des Moines Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 900 total, 649 in this make and model, 733 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 102 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 5 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 19820215004149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820215004149A), Feb 15, 1982: Piper PA28151, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on final approach. Pilot took owners word for remaining fuel.

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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