# NTSB SEA07LA017: Piper PA-28-140, N2390T, Caldwell, ID, November 14, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 2006, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, ID - Coordinates: 43.641666, -116.635559 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6417&lon=-116.6356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64863/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning by failing to refuel while en route which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power while on approach to the airport. Rough/uneven terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion while on short final to the destination airport. The accident occurred during the final leg of a 335 nautical mile VFR cross-country flight. The pilot stated that after losing power he initiated a forced landing to an open field approximately 1/4 mile short of the runway. The airplane encountered rough/uneven terrain during the landing sequence and sustained substantial damage to the wing assembly. The accident flight was the aircraft's second flight after being topped off with fuel. The first flight commenced on November 13, however, due to deteriorating weather conditions the pilot returned to the departure airport approximately 45 minutes after departure. The aircraft was not refueled prior to the accident flight. The pilot reported the flight took longer than expected due to higher than forecasted headwinds. ## Factual narrative On November 14, 2006, at 1300 mountain standard time (MST), a Piper PA-28-140, N2390T, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing during approach to Caldwell Industrial Airport, (KEUL) Caldwell, Idaho. The airplane was operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight originated about 0855 MST from Tonopah, Nevada, (KTPH), and was en route (approximately 335 nautical miles) to Caldwell, Idaho. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on November 14, the pilot reported that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion while on short final to the flight planned destination airport. The pilot stated that after losing power he initiated a forced landing to an open field approximately 1/4 mile short of runway 30. The airplane encountered rough/uneven terrain during the landing sequence and sustained substantial damage to the wing assembly. This was the aircraft's second flight after being topped off with fuel. The first flight commenced on November 13, however, due to deteriorating weather conditions the pilot returned to Tonopah approximately 45 minutes after departure. The aircraft was not refueled prior to the second (accident) flight. The pilot reported the flight took longer than expected due to higher than forecasted headwinds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2390T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2390T), registered now, S/N 28-7225068 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225068 - Airframe hours: 5218 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Albert Phillips - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006 - Departed: TPH, TONOPAH, NV - Destination: EUL, Caldwell, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: EUL, Caldwell ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 800 total, 369 in this make and model, 765 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KEUL, 1 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 20061114024159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061114024159A), Nov 14, 2006: Piper PA28140, Caldwell, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft landed short of runway 30 at the Caldwell, Idaho airport in a very soft field. Although the aircraft remained upright, the landing gear sunk… ## Other investigations on N2390T (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK72DVG27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVG27), Nov 7, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N2390T), Nut Tree, CA, substantial damage 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.