# NTSB SEA92LA012: Piper PA28-161, N8379V, Duchesne, UT, October 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1991, 20:30 local (Oct 14, 1991, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Duchesne, UT
- Coordinates: 40.100463, -110.489738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1005&lon=-110.4897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA012

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S INATTENTION AND BECOMING LOST.  A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD DRIFTED OFF COURSE UNTIL THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AND THE AIRPORT WAS NOT IN SIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE WAS IN THE AIR AN EXTRA 45 MINUTES WHEN THE PILOT SPOTTED AN AIRPORT.  REALIZING THE FUEL WAS LOW, THE PILOT TURNED TOWARD THE AIRPORT.  ENROUTE, ONE FUEL TANK WAS EXHAUSTED OF FUEL.  THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE OTHER FUEL TANK AND WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE REMAINING FUEL TANK WAS EXHAUSTED OF FUEL AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  UNABLE TO REACH THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED SHORT AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8379V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8379V-1996-12-04), registration cancelled 1996-12-04, S/N 288116215 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116215
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alpine Aviation
- Registered owner: Alpine Aviation
- Departed: U07, BULLFROG BASIN, UT
- Destination: PVU, PROVO, UT
- Airport: U69, Duchesne, runway 34, 5,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 170 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19911013050759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911013050759A), Oct 13, 1991: Piper PA28161, Duchesne, UT, Substantial damage. Off course and low on fuel at night,diverted but ran out of fuel short of runway. Blamed error fuel gauge.

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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