# NTSB NYC88LA243: Piper PA-28-181, N8289T, Keene, NH, September 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1988, 14:18 local (18:18 UTC)
- Place: Keene, NH
- Location: 42.9337° N, 72.2781° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Keene, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9337&lon=-72.2781&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA243

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A HEAD INJ AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RELATE THE DETAILS OF THE ACDT. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 3 MI SHORT OF THE LANDING RWY AT THE CONCLUSION OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT. AN FAA INSP EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND REPORTED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SET ON THE RT FUEL TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN ANY OF THE LINES BETWEEN THE FUEL SELECTOR AND THE ENG AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK SELECTED. THE LT WING BROKE OFF THE FUSELAGE DURING THE ACDT AND WAS HANGING IN A TREE AT THE TIME OF THE EXAMINATION. THE ENG WAS RUN AFTER THE ACDT AND NO EVIDENCE OF A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8289T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8289T-1991-03-23), registration cancelled 1991-03-23, S/N 288190079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288190079
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: P.C.G. Air
- Registered owner: Chiro Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: MVY, MARTHASVINEYARD, MA
- Destination: EEN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 30 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880926040539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880926040539A), Sep 26, 1988: Piper PA28181, Keene, NH, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Trying to land in an open field, crashed into trees.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
