# NTSB NYC82FGM14: Piper PA-28-140, N1885T, Shanksville, PA, July 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1982, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Shanksville, PA
- Location: 40.0174° N, 78.9069° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shanksville, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0174&lon=-78.9069&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FGM14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FGM14

## 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)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING PREFLIGHT THE PLT ESTIMATED HE HAD ABOUT 18 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD. APPROXIMATELY 10 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE POLE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE ARPT'S FBO STATED THAT FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE AS THE SUPPLY HAD BEEN DEPLETED SINCE 7/15.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1885T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1885T-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N 28-7225041, built 1971 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1225041
- Airframe hours: 2367
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Louis Mellinger
- Registered owner: Louis Mellinger
- Departed: SOMERSET, PA
- Destination: SOMERSET, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 400 total, 202 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 142 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820721030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820721030809A), Jul 21, 1982: Piper PA28140, Shankeville, PA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during attempted emergency landing after engine quit due to 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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