# NTSB NYC84FNE01: Piper PA-28-151, N44386, Southwick, MA, January 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1984, 22:01 local (Jan 2, 1984, 03:01 UTC)
- Place: Southwick, MA
- Location: 42.0548° N, 72.7704° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Southwick, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0548&lon=-72.7704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNE01

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST POWER & MADE AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING IN A SCHOOL YARD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONLY A FEW DROPS OFFUEL REMAINED IN THE POWERPLANT & 1QT PLUS 1PT REMAINED IN THE WING TANKS WITH NONE IN THE GASOLATOR. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE OR OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT DID NOT REMEMBER HIS LEANING PROCEDURE & HIS FUEL CALCULATIONS WERE BASED ON A LOWER ESTIMATE THAN ACTUAL CONSUMPTION RECORDS SUBSTANTIATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44386](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44386-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 28-7415629, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7415629
- Airframe hours: 40696
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Westfield Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Steve Wells/Wells Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1983, 906 hours before
- Departed: A1Y, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: BAF, WESTFIELD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 42 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAF, 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 19840101001199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840101001199A), Jan 1, 1984: Piper PA28151, Southwick, MA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from 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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