# NTSB NYC89LA104: Piper PA-28-181, N4385L, Pittstown, NJ, March 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1989, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Pittstown, NJ
- Location: 40.5820° N, 74.9591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pittstown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5820&lon=-74.9591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA104

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH LED TO ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28 WAS AT CRUISE ALTITUDE WHEN HE REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE WAS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL. AT THAT POINT HE WAS 7 MILES FROM ALLENTOWN AIRPORT, BUT CHOSE TO CONTINUE TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER HE ASKED ATC TO GET HIM TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT BECAUSE FUEL WAS GETTING CRITICAL. ABOUT 23 MINUTES AFTER FIRST REPORTING LOW FUEL TO ATC THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 1100 FEET AND 2 1/2 MILES NORTH OF ALEXANDRIA AIRPORT. AFTER BREAKING OUT OF THE CLOUDS ON APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT THE AIRCRAFT STARTED CLIPPING TREES. THE PILOT FLARED THE AIRCRAFT TO SLOW THE FORWARD SPEED AND CRASHED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4385L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4385L-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N 288590024 (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: 28-8590024
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dyna Flite Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 30, 1989, 60 hours before
- Departed: RICHMOND HTS, OH
- Destination: 39N, PRINCETON, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 184 total, 93 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890324010299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890324010299A), Mar 24, 1989: Piper PA28181, Pittstown, NJ, Destroyed. Became low on fuel IFR en route. Offered nearby field but no approach plates elected to go on,ran out. Struck 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.

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