# NTSB NYC89LA035: Piper PA-28-181, N2885G, Palmyra, NY, November 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1988, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmyra, NY
- Coordinates: 43.060913, -77.230255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0609&lon=-77.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA035

## Probable cause

OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A CANAL FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO MISCALCULATED FUEL BURN BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ENROUTE WHEN THE PILOT SAID HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A CANAL AND THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS SWAM TO SHORE. THE PILOT HAD CHANGED HIS DESTINATION FROM NIAGARA FALLS TO ROCHESTER WHILE IN CONTACT WITH SYRACUSE APPROACH CONTROL, DUE TO LOW FUEL; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT ADVISE SYRACUSE OF THE SITUATION AND ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE ANOTHER 68 MILES. HE RAN OUT OF FUEL 20 MILES SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2885G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2885G), registered now, S/N 28-8090001, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-809-0001
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martin Cavanaugh
- Registered owner: Beverly Flight Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BVY, BEVERLY, MA
- Destination: ROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 2 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROC, 19 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 19881122051739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881122051739A), Nov 22, 1988: Piper PA28181, Palmyra, NY, Substantial damage. Shortened IFR flight en route but ran out of fuel anyway. Landed in a canal. Failed to have proper fuel on filed IFR

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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