# NTSB SEA02LA151: Piper PA-28-235, N32138, Creswell, OR, August 10, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2002, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Creswell, OR - Coordinates: 43.884723, -123.024444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8847&lon=-123.0244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55448 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55448/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55448 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA151 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper management of fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Analysis The private pilot reported that while in a cruise flight configuration the airplane's engine backfired and quit. The pilot reported that he pushed the propeller control and mixture control to the full-forward position, engaged the electric fuel pump and attempted a restart. He reported that the engine successfully started, however, after initiating a climb the engine again lost power and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. The pilot reported that while on approach to the field, the airplane collided with a willow tree and the airplane landed short of his intended landing area. Post-accident examination revealed that the fuel selector was found in the left tank position. Further examination indicated that the left fuel tank was empty. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane from Eugene to Cottage Grove for refueling. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2002, approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235, N32138, sustained substantial damage after colliding with a tree during a forced landing in a field near Creswell, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, originated from Mahlon Sweet Field Airport, Eugene Oregon, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident, and was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, dated August 23, 2002, the pilot reported that while in a cruise flight configuration the airplane's engine "…backfired and quit." The pilot reported that he pushed the propeller control and mixture control to the full-forward position, engaged the electric fuel pump and attempted a restart. He reported that the engine successfully started, however, after initiating a climb the engine again lost power and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. The pilot reported that while on approach to the field, the airplane collided with a willow tree and the airplane landed short of his intended landing area. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, examined the aircraft after the accident and reported that the fuel selector was found in the "…left tank position." He further reported that the left main tank was empty and that the right main tank was the only tank that appeared to have any fuel quantity. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane from Eugene to Cottage Grove for refueling. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32138](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32138-2003-05-02), registration cancelled 2003-05-02, S/N 28-7510014, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7510014 - Airframe hours: 1752 - Engines: Continental O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Irvine L. McLaren - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 2001 - Departed: EUG, Eugene, OR - Destination: 61S, Cottage Grove, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: EUG, 12 nm away ## 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 20020810023059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020810023059A), Aug 10, 2002: Piper PA28235, Creswell, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) According to PIC while enroute from eugene to cottage grove, VFR for fuel, engine quit, he restarted engine, climbed out, then engine quit again. Pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55448. 578 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Report (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF 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.