# NTSB NYC84FGM07: Piper PA-28-140, N8257N, South Fork, PA, September 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1984, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: South Fork, PA
- Coordinates: 40.360858, -78.790313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3609&lon=-78.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FGM07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FGM07

## 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)
  - planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

UPON DEPARTURE THE PLT ESTIMATED 25 GAL OF FUEL. THE TOTAL POWER LOSS OCCURRED 1 HR AND 55 MIN LATER. AFTER THE FORCED LDG ON UNIMPROVED TERRAIN NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY FULL SPILL FROM THE RUPTURED LEFT TANK. THREE OUNCES OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8257N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8257N-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 28-25468, built 1969 (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: 2825468
- Airframe hours: 5070
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frederick P. Weller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984, 169 hours before
- Departed: BGM, BINGHAMTON, NY
- Destination: JST, JOHNSTOWN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 90 total, 90 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JST, 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 19840916049209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840916049209A), Sep 16, 1984: Piper PA28140, South Fork, PA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. While trying to land, hit trees in a clearing. Used a fuelhawk gauge for fuel check

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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