# NTSB NYC87LA056: Piper PA-28-181, N8720C, Leominster, MA, December 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1986, 19:15 local (Dec 27, 1986, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Leominster, MA
- Location: 42.6259° N, 71.7506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FITCHBURG MUNI (FIT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6259&lon=-71.7506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA056

## 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)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-28-181 DEPARTED ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH FULL TANKS (48 GAL) ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. ENROUTE THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AT NIGHT AFTER FLYING FOR 3.9 HOURS. THE PILOT LANDED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND STRUCK A HOUSE ON LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHILE THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. AN OCCUPANT IN THE HOUSE ALSO RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8720C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690158
- Airframe hours: 1441
- Engines: LYCOMING O-326-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul A. Prunier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 22, 1986
- Departed: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA
- Destination: ASH, NASHUA, NH
- Airport: FIT, Fitchburg Muni.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 206 total, 91 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19861226072359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861226072359A), Dec 26, 1986: Piper PA28181, Leominster, MA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route and struck a residence on the forced landing roll.

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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