# NTSB MKC87LA167: Piper PA-28-140, N5683U, Hot Springs, AR, August 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1987, 21:00 local (Aug 26, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Hot Springs, AR
- Location: 34.5037° N, 93.0552° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hot Springs, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5037&lon=-93.0552&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA167

## 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 (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FUELED THE AIRCRAFT WITH 20 GALLONS OF 100LL FOR HIS FLIGHT TO HOT SPRINGS, AR. FORTY MILES FROM HOT SPRINGS THE LEFT FUEL TANK INDICATED EMPTY AND THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK. APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM HOT SPRINGS, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK. THE ENGINE RAN FOR A SHORT TIME AND QUIT. THE PILOT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN RESTARTING THE ENGINE AND LOOKED FOR A SUITABLE LANDING AREA. THE PILOT SELECTED A HIGHWAY; HOWEVER, LATE IN THE APPROACH SPOTTED TREES AND STALLED THE AIRCRAFT NEAR THE TREE TOPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5683U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5683U-1990-08-31), registration cancelled 1990-08-31, S/N 2826480 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2826480
- Airframe hours: 2518
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Richard K.Jackson
- Registered owner: Richard K Jackson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 6, 1987
- Departed: HDI, CLEVELAND, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 9 in this make and model, 1,199 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19870825047609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870825047609A), Aug 25, 1987: Piper PA28140, Hot Springs, AR, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Struck trees and the ground on the forced landing.

## Other investigations on N5683U (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 MKC75DCQ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DCQ10), Aug 3, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N5683U), Larned, KS, substantial damage

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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