# NTSB SEA84LA079: Piper PA28-140, N1436X, Idaho Falls, ID, April 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1984, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Idaho Falls, ID
- Location: 43.4896° N, 112.0353° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Idaho Falls, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4896&lon=-112.0353&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA079

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT & HAD REFUELED AT TWIN FALLS, ID. WHEN SHE TOOK OFF, BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FULL. WHILE DESCENDING THRU ABOUT 6000 FT, NEAR THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE ENG SPUTTERED & QUIT RUNNING. THE STUDENT ENRICHED THE MIXTURE, CHECKED THE PRIMER & TURNED ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP, BUT DID NOT SWITCH FUEL TANKS. SHE HAD BEEN USING FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK ONLY. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON SOFT, UNEVEN TERRAIN, COVERED WITH SAGEBRUSH & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY & THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKS. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 5489 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1436X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1436X-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 28-7525312, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- 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: 28-7525312
- Engines: LYCOMING LYC-O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wyse, Roger E., doing business as Mountain Air
- Registered owner: Wyse, Roger E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 1983
- Departed: TWE, TWIN FALLS, ID
- Destination: IDA, IDAHO FALLS, ID
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 21 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IDA, 20 nm away

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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