# NTSB NYC93LA007: Piper PA-38-112, N2434B, Heathsville, VA, October 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1992, 13:12 local (17:12 UTC)
- Place: Heathsville, VA
- Coordinates: 37.910717, -76.469413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9107&lon=-76.4694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA007

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT RESULTING 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, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  SHE WAS PLANNING TO LAND AT AN AIRPORT TO REFUEL, BUT HER FLIGHT TIME WAS RUNNING BEHIND SCHEDULE, SO SHE DECIDED TO OVERFLY THE AIRPORT AND CONTINUE TO HER FINAL DESTINATION.  ENROUTE SHE REALIZED THAT THE FUEL SUPPLY ONBOARD THE AIRPLANE WAS INADEQUATE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FLIGHT, SO SHE REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM ATC.  SHE REQUESTED VECTORS TO AN AIRPORT WHERE SHE COULD OBTAIN FUEL.  ATC VECTORED HER TO AN AIRPORT, BUT THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO LAND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, AND A GO-AROUND WAS PERFORMED.  ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE ENGINE QUIT ON BASE LEG.  THE PILOT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A CORN FIELD.  THE FAA FOUND NO SIGNIFICANT FUEL IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2434B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2434B-2011-09-06), registration cancelled 2011-09-06, S/N 38-79A0060, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0060
- Airframe hours: 6277
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dawn Aeronautics, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dawn Aeronautics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 38 hours before
- Departed: MRB, MARTINSBURG, WV
- Destination: ILG, NEW CASTLE, DE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 7W7, Heathsville, runway 18, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 62 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19921002039989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921002039989A), Oct 2, 1992: Piper PA38112, Heathsville, VA, Substantial damage. Student overflew fuel stop due in a hurry. Saw low fuel. Alerted aic. Vectored arpt. Had go around exhausted fuel.

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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