# NTSB MKC85FA022: Piper J5A, N35786, Stuttgart, AR, November 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1984, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Stuttgart, AR
- Coordinates: 34.489627, -91.549179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4896&lon=-91.5492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA022

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING FERRIED X-COUNTRY IN LEGS OF APPROXIMATELY 2 HRS FLT DURATION. THE ACFT WAS REFUELED FOR THE NEXT LEGAND IT NEEDED 18 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PLT WAS PREDICTING A BURN OF 5-6 GALLONS OF FUEL PER HOUR. AFTER A FLT OF 2 HRS AND 17 MINUTES WITH DESTINATION IN SIGHT THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT. THE ACFT WAS FORCED TO LAND OFF ARPT. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACFT BY FAA AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHOWED NO FUEL ABOARD THE ACFT. NO DISCREPANCIES OF EQUIPMENT WERE FOUND. THERE WAS A SIGHT FUEL GAGE AVAILABLE FOR THE PLTS USE TO MONITOR FUEL USAGE. THE ACFT TOTAL FUEL CAPACITY IS 19 GALLONS. THERE WERE ARPTS IN THE LINE OF FLT WHERE AN EN ROUTE STOP FOR FUEL COULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35786](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35786), registered now, S/N 5-772, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-772
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: The Confederate Air Force, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984, 14 hours before
- Departed: SPH, SPRINGHILL, LA
- Destination: 6MO, HAZEN, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 646 total, 50 in this make and model, 591 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 31 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 19841119063329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841119063329A), Nov 19, 1984: Piper J5A, Stuttgart, AR, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing on road 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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