# NTSB SEA90LA006: Piper PA28-180, N6651J, Homedale, ID, October 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1989, 18:20 local (Oct 14, 1989, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Homedale, ID
- Coordinates: 43.590961, -116.940872 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5910&lon=-116.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA006

## Probable cause

INACCURATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT, AND THE PILOT BECOMING LOST OR DISORIENTED WHICH RESULTED 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND RADIOED FOR A POSITION LOCATION. THE FLIGHT WAS IDENTIFIED SOUTH OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND REQUESTED INFORMATION TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE 300 YARDS SHORT COLLIDING WITH A FENCE AND A DITCH DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE FUEL TANKS WERE INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WERE FOUND INTACT AND EMPTY OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6651J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6651J-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 28-5088, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-3088
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air Gemini
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: TIW, TACOMA, WA
- Destination: ONO, ONTARIO, OR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: S66, Homedale, runway 31, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 364 total, 32 in this make and model, 336 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BOI, 31 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 19891013040309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891013040309A), Oct 13, 1989: Piper PA28180, Homedale, ID, Substantial damage. Low on fuel. Vectors to near airport but ran out of fuel short of runway. Struck a ditch and fence landing.

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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