# NTSB NYC91LA026: Piper PA-28-161, N2972D, Saxton, PA, November 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1990, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Saxton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.209514, -78.24073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2095&lon=-78.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA026

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CFI'S INADEQUATE EXECUTION OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.

## 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
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command(cfi)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - snow
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

THE CFI AND PRIVATE RATED STUDENT PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND DEPARTED ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH AN INOPERATIVE VACUUM PUMP. WHILE EN ROUTE TO THE PLANNED DESTINATION, THE PILOTS ENCOUNTERED SNOW SHOWER AND DIVERTED TOWARDS ALTOONA, PA. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE AND LOSE POWER. THE CFI GAINED A MOMENTARY RESTORATION OF POWER WITH THE CARBURETOR HEAT APPLIED; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A DENSELY WOODED AREA AT NIGHT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS OVER 3/4 FULL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2972D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2972D-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 28-8016004, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016004
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: B And F Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AIY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: AGC, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 469 total, 33 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 38 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °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 19901111049719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901111049719A), Nov 11, 1990: Piper PA28161, Saxton, PA, Substantial damage. Departed IFR with inoperative vacuum pump. Lost power. Crashed into trees. Fuel selector on empty tank. Full other.

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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