# NTSB SEA82DA049: Piper PA-28-181, N80769, Spokane, WA, April 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1982, 18:00 local (Apr 9, 1982, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Coordinates: 47.630321, -117.250617 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6303&lon=-117.2506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA049

## 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
  - crew/group coordination - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT/COPILOT RESET THE AIRCRAFT CLOCK IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TIME ZONE CHANGE THAT WOULD OCCUR IN FLIGHT. THIS CAUSED THE PILOT TO THINK HE HAD ANOTHER HOUR OF FLIGHT TIME. IN ADDITION THE FUEL GAGE WAS FOUND TO SHOW FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK WHEN ALL FUEL HAD BEEN DRAINED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON A STREET THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A MAILBOX AND THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF UPON STRIKING A CONCRETE CULVERT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80769](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80769), registered now, S/N 28-8090066, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8090066
- Airframe hours: 589
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Larry S. Baker
- Registered owner: James G. Billingsley
- Departed: SFF, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Destination: RKS, SPOKANE, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,100 total, 40 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 115 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFF, 5 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 19820408008449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820408008449A), Apr 8, 1982: Piper PA28181, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing caused by fuel exhaustion.

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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