# NTSB MKC83LA176: Piper PA-24-235, N777EE, Alliance, NE, August 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1983, 17:20 local (Aug 5, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Alliance, NE
- Coordinates: 42.100791, -102.870918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1008&lon=-102.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33458
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33458/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA176

## 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
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DEPARTED OSHROSH FOR SCOTTSBLUFF WITH AN ESTIMATED 80 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD THE AIR CRAFT HIS ETE WAS 4 HOURS 30 MINUTES AND FUEL CONSUMPTION AT 15 GPH. APRX 37 NM SHORT OF SCOTTS BLUFF HE NOTICED THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE INDICATING BELOW THE QUANTITY HE CALCULATED SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOARD. THIS WAS THE ONLY TANK THAT NOW CONTAINED FUEL. HE REDUCED ENGINE POWER TO 55 PERCENT OF RATED. OVERFLEW ALLIANCE, WHERE FUEL WAS AVAILABLE, AND CONTINUED TO SCOTTSBLUFF. AS THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN ITS DESCENT, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARD ALLIANCE WHILE TRYING TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON A ROLLING SAND HILL APRX 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ALLIANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777EE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N777EE), registered now, S/N 24-2773, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2773
- Airframe hours: 3565
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B145 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Birch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 98 hours before
- Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Destination: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,310 total, 900 in this make and model, 15,005 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AIA, 7 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 19830804038699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830804038699A), Aug 4, 1983: Piper PA24250, Alliance, NE, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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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