# NTSB NYC93LA020: Piper PA-38-112, N2386L, Newburyport, MA, October 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1992, 23:50 local (Oct 15, 1992, 03:50 UTC)
- Place: Newburyport, MA
- Location: 42.8123° N, 70.8866° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newburyport, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8123&lon=-70.8866&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA020

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING, 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, cruise - normal
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED A LOW FUEL QUANITY INDICATION. HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND REQUESTED VECTORS FOR LANDING, HOWEVER, BEFORE REACHING THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE QUIT.  THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY, AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT WING STRUCK A ROAD SIGN.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED 'LESS THAN ONE PINT OF FUEL...FROM EACH SUMP.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2386L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2386L-1992-11-19), registration cancelled 1992-11-19, S/N 3879A0690 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0690
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beverly Flight Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Beverly Flight Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: B21, CARRABASSETT, ME
- Destination: BVY, BEVERLY, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 1,725 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## 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 19921014042289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921014042289A), Oct 14, 1992: Piper PA38112, Newburyport, MA, Substantial damage. Lost power en route after declaring low fuel status. Landed on a highway. Fuel tanks were empty.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.