# NTSB MKC86LA133: Piper PA-28RT-201T, Wathena, KS, June 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1986, 22:45 local (Jun 26, 1986, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Wathena, KS
- Coordinates: 39.760108, -94.940635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7601&lon=-94.9406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACFT MANUAL, HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO FLY TO HIS DESTINATION IN THE USA. AS SUCH, HE FELT THAT NO REFUELING WAS NECESSARY WHEN HE LANDED AT HIS DESIGNATED AIRPORT-OF-ENTRY TO CLEAR CUSTOMS. THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL TWO MILES SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION ARPT. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT FLT MANUAL, THE DESTINATION ARPT WOULD BE IN RANGE IF COMPUTATIONS WERE BASED ON: I.S.A., 18,000 FT CRUISE ALT, NO WIND, THE MIXTURE LEANED FOR 25 DEGREES ON THE RICH SIDE OF PEAK E.G.T., AND 65% TURBOCHARGED CRUISE POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FLEW THE TRIP AT 3,000 FT WITH NO REGARD TO E.G.T READINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGSMS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7931240
- Airframe hours: 1780
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Interlake Aviation Co., Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 25, 1986, 5 hours before
- Departed: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND
- Destination: STJ, ST.JOSEPH, MO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 12 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 133 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.