# NTSB NYC83FHD02: Piper PA-32-260, N15SB, Trenton, NJ, June 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1983, 21:40 local (Jun 11, 1983, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Trenton, NJ
- Location: 40.2238° N, 74.7636° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Trenton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2238&lon=-74.7636&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FHD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FHD02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A RAILROAD BRIDGE OVERPASS DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FLT DEPARTED NC FORNJ WITH AN ENROUTE STOP TO DROP OFF A PASSENGER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REFUEL AT THIS STOP AS PLANNED AND DEPARTED ANDOVERFLEW OTHER SIGHTED ARPTS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT MAKE CONTACT ON UNICOM. MCQUIRE APPROACH CONTROL GAVE THE PILOT THE VECTOR OF 288 DEGREES FOR THE TRENTON-ROBBINSVILLE ARPT.DURING THIS TIME THE RIGHT FUEL TANK RAN DRY AND THE PILOT SWITCHED TANKS TO CONTINUE FLT. WHEN TRENTON-ROBBINSVILLE COULD NOT BE RAISED ON UNICOM THE PILOT CONTINUED ON THE 288 DEGREE HEADING UNTIL FUEL EXHAUSTION. HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS VECTORED TO 110 DEGREES FOR THE NEAREST ARPT. THEPILOT COULD NOT REACH THIS ARPT AND CRASHED ON A RAILROAD BRIDGE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A 4 LANE HIWAY. AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED THE STATE OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT DEPARTED WITH 50 GALLONS AND FLEW 4.1 HOURS. FUEL BURN IS12 GPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15SB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1283
- Airframe hours: 2768
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James P. Maney
- Registered owner: J & S Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1983
- Departed: A-36, MANAHAWKIN, NJ
- Destination: TOMS RIVER, NJ
- Airport: N-87, Trenton-Robbinsville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 291 total, 11 in this make and model, 2,179 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TTN, 5 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 19830610027469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830610027469A), Jun 10, 1983: Piper PA32260, Trenton, NJ, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed during 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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