# NTSB NYC86LA241: Piper PA-28-140C, N6004U, Indiana, PA, September 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1986, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Indiana, PA
- Coordinates: 40.620384, -79.14965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6204&lon=-79.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA241

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENG POWER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT SHOWED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE THE LEFT TANK WHICH CONTAINED NO USEABLE FUEL. THERE WAS USEABLE FUEL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY 'HAVING THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS WHEN LEFT TANK WENT DRY'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6004U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6004U-1995-09-21), registration cancelled 1995-09-21, S/N 2826903 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26906
- Airframe hours: 3023
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ebensburg Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 27, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: 9G8, EBENSBURG, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 6 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19860921045669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860921045669A), Sep 21, 1986: Piper PA28140, Indiana, PA, Substantial damage. Engine problem (.4)the acft was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of eng power. Examination of the acft showed the fuel selector…

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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