# NTSB MKC86LA073: Piper PA-28-181, N30561, Oil Trough, AR, March 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1986, 13:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Oil Trough, AR
- Coordinates: 35.619232, -91.459747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6192&lon=-91.4597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA073

## 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 - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - refueling - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIC FOUND HIMSELF LOW ON FUEL WITH AN INDICATION OF ONLY 5 GALLONS IN EACH TANK. HE PASSED OVER AN ARPT WITH FUELING FACILITIES AVAILABLE BUT DIVERTED TO BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS, WHICH LAY 48 MILES BEYOND HIS PRESENT POSN. THE PIC STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING EAST OF THE BATEVILLE ARPT, BUT AS THE PIC TURNED TO LAND IN A FIELD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE ENSUING LANDING DAMAGED THE ACFT. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING CALCULATION WAS FOR 5.5 HOURS OF FUEL, BUT THE FLT TERMINATED AT 4.6 HOURS. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS CONFIRMED NO FUEL. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGES DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNIFICANT ERROR IN THE INDICATION. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED FOR A PLANNED FUEL STOP BEFORE NEEDING TO USE THE RESERVE FUEL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30561](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30561), registered now, S/N 28-7990096, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 7990096
- Airframe hours: 3301
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: A.G. Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1985, 6 hours before
- Departed: UES, WAUKESHA, WI
- Destination: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 24 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 41 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 19860322010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860322010959A), Mar 22, 1986: Piper PA28181, Oil Trough, AR, Substantial damage. Made approach to a field because of low fuel condition. Ran out of fuel during approach,stalled,hit ground,fence.

## Other investigations on N30561 (1)

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 CHI98LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA324), Aug 16, 1998: Piper PA-28-181 (N30561), Michigan City, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot departed into known adverse weather and failed to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor was the fog.

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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