- Date
- August 19, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place
- Salem, CT
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N2519BPiper PA-38-112
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 14, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 37211
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inaccurate fuel calculations and his improper decision to takeoff with a known limited fuel supply resulting in fuel exhaustion and subsequent forced landing. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's lack of total flight experience and his lack of experience in this make and model airplane.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot landed at an airport to refuel, but he was unable to purchase fuel. He decided to takeoff and fly to another airport for refueling. During cruise, the engine quit and the pilot made a forced landing in a field and struck a tree during the landing roll. The FAA found less than one half a quart of fuel in the fuel tanks.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2519B
- Reported as
- Piper PA-38-112
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 3879A0137
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235, 112 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- American Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner
- U.S.Cargo Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 1900
- Departed
- 5B4 · Griswold, CT
- Destination
- 42B · E.Haddam, CT
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 35
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 104 total · 20 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 90 °F