# NTSB NYC90LA157: Piper PA-28-161, N83968, Yarmouth, MA, July 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1990, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Yarmouth, MA
- Location: 41.7057° N, 70.2286° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yarmouth, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7057&lon=-70.2286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA157

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY THE PILOT AND AN IMPROPERLY READING FUEL GAUGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH APPROXIMATELY 36 GALLONS OF GAS ON BOARD. AFTER FLYING .9 HOURS, HE HAD A POWER LOSS AND DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN AT A BEACH. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THE RIGHT TANK HELD 1 QUART OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK OVER 15 GALLONS. THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING ON THE RIGHT TANK. ADDITIONALLY THE RIGHT FUEL TANK GAUGE WAS FOUND TO BE INACCURATE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT REALIZED HE HAD BEEN SWITCHING TANKS TOO FAST FOR THE ENGINE TO RESUME NORMAL RUNNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83968](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83968-1991-04-08), registration cancelled 1991-04-08, S/N 288116245 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116245
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen F. Butler
- Registered owner: Stephen F Butler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HYA, BARNSTABLE, MA
- Destination: HYA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 9 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °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 19900711066129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900711066129A), Jul 11, 1990: Piper PA28161, Yarmouth, MA, Substantial damage. Engine sputtered on right tank showing full after using same for some time . Switch to left back to right. Ditched.

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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