# NTSB NYC89LA065: Piper PA-38-112, N2361K, Albany, NY, January 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1989, 19:00 local (Jan 14, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Albany, NY
- Coordinates: 42.700374, -73.759231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7004&lon=-73.7592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA065

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTING FROM THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND MISJUDGED FUEL CONSUMPTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - holding(ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN, NEAR THE LAKESHORE VILLAGE APARTMENTS IN ALBANY, NY. THE PILOT, SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT SAID HE RAN OUT OF GAS BUT WAS AT A LOSS AS TO WHY, AFTER ONLY 4 HOURS OF FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2361K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2361K-1989-06-07), registration cancelled 1989-06-07, S/N 3879A0591 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0591
- Airframe hours: 1542
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas F. Zimmie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1988, 104 hours before
- Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Destination: ALB, ALBANY, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ALB

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 931 total, 708 in this make and model, 820 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °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 19890113000509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890113000509A), Jan 13, 1989: Piper PA38112, Albany, NY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach to destination. Struck trees and terrain landing. Pilot not knowledgeable of fuel range

## Other investigations on N2361K (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC82DA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA191), Aug 6, 1982: Piper PA-38-112 (N2361K), Poestenkill, NY, substantial damage

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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