# NTSB SEA90LA174: Piper PA-32-300RT, N21434, Glenrock, WY, September 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1990, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Glenrock, WY
- Coordinates: 42.850421, -105.850479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8504&lon=-105.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA174

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTING FROM THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - vehicle
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TURNED TO FOLLOW A ROAD AFTER ONE FUEL TANK RAN DRY ON A FLIGHT FROM NEWCASTLE, WY, TO CSPER, WY. WHEN THE SECOND TANK RAN DRY, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON THE ROAD. MANEUVERING TO AVOID A PICKUP TRUCK ON THE ROAD, HE MADE A COURSE REVERSAL AND ATTEMPTED TO LINE UP ON THE ROAD HEADED THE OTHER WAY. HE WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN, AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE LANDING ROLL ACROSS THE HIGHWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21434](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21434-1993-07-12), registration cancelled 1993-07-12, S/N 32R7887209 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300RT (PA-32-300R)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-R7887209
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry M. Savage
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: ECS, NEWCASTLE, WY
- Destination: CPR, CASPER, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,732 total, 105 in this make and model, 2,608 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CPR, 32 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 19900906038729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900906038729A), Sep 6, 1990: Piper PA32300T, Glenrock, WY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. While landing on a road, ran into a ditch trying to avoid a pickup truck.

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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