# NTSB NYC02LA174: Piper PA-28-181, N9089C, Manassas, VA, August 23, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2002, 21:45 local (Aug 23, 2002, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Manassas, VA - Coordinates: 38.715278, -77.474723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7153&lon=-77.4747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 55544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55544/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning, and his inadequate visual lookout while taxing on an off airport road. A factor related to the accident was the dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) ## Analysis After a 2-hour night flight, the engine began to "sputter," and subsequently lost total power. The pilot performed an uneventful forced landing to a light highway. Since the airplane was blocking vehicle traffic, the pilot elected to taxi the airplane from the road to a grass area. During the taxi, the airplane struck a metal road sign with the left wing. Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were empty and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the accident site. Additionally, the pilot stated after the accident that he had been flying for about 2 hours and ran out of fuel. The pilot did not refuel during the flight. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2002, about 2145 eastern daylight time, Piper PA-28-181, N9089C, was substantially damaged while taxing on a highway, after a forced landing near Manassas, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated at the Ocean City Municipal Airport (OXB), Ocean City, Maryland, destined for the Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), Manassas, Virginia. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he had departed OXB about 2050, and proceeded direct to HEF. About 3-1/2 miles from HEF, the engine began to "sputter." The pilot performed emergency procedures, which included switching the fuel tanks. The engine lost total power, and the pilot elected to conduct a forced landing to a highway, where he landed uneventfully. Since the airplane was blocking road vehicle traffic, the pilot attempted to taxi the airplane from the road to a grass area. During the taxi, the airplane struck a metal road sign with the left wing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident. He did not observe any fuel in the wing tanks, and did not observe any fuel odors or stains at the accident site. Additionally, the pilot stated to the inspector after the accident that he had been flying for about 2 hours and ran out of fuel. He did not refuel at the Ocean City Airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9089C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9089C), registered now, S/N 28-8690016, built 1985 (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 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8690016 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Adventures - Registered owner: James D. Hurd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HEF, Manassas, VA - Destination: HEF, Manassas, VA - Airport: HEF, Manassas Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 26, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 329 total, 121 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HEF, 4 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 20020823037809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020823037809A), Aug 23, 2002: Piper PA28181, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Incident occurred 3.5 miles from Manassas airport. Engine began to run rough when all fuel in the aircraft was depleted. 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.