# NTSB NYC89LA122: Piper PA-22-160, N8745D, Gettysburg, PA, April 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1989, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Gettysburg, PA
- Coordinates: 39.829586, -77.22966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8296&lon=-77.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA122

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT AND IN-FLIGHT PLANNING IN ELECTING TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT BEYOND THE PLANNED DESTINATION WHICH RESULTED IN 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT CONTINUED THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT BEYOND THE ORIGINAL DESTINATION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED IN A WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8745D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8745D-1991-08-22), registration cancelled 1991-08-22, S/N 225927 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5927
- Airframe hours: 2015
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-C2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert D.Underwood
- Registered owner: William S Chant
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1989, 19 hours before
- Departed: EEN, KEENE, NH
- Destination: GTY, GETTYSBURG, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 196 total, 11 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °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 19890419063489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890419063489A), Apr 19, 1989: Piper PA22160, Gettysburg, PA, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel en route. Forced landing made 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.

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