# NTSB SEA92LA081: Piper J-5A, N35931, Broadus, MT, April 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1992, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Broadus, MT
- Coordinates: 45.389301, -105.499313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3893&lon=-105.4993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA081

## Probable cause

FUEL SYSTEM EXHAUSTION. FACTORS INCLUDE AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, INADVERTENT FUEL DUMPING, AND A DITCH IN THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel dumped - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER J-5 HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS RETURNING TO HIS HOME AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN BURNING ABOUT EIGHT GALLONS OF FUEL PER HOUR. THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH HAD BEEN AIRBORNE APPROXIMATELY THREE AND ONE HALF HOURS, SHOULD HAVE HAD AN ENDURANCE OF OVER FOUR HOURS AT CRUISE.  AFTER THE ACCIDENT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK CAP HAD BEEN PUT ON WITH THE PRESSURIZATION TUBE FACING AFT INSTEAD OF FORWARD INTO THE SLIPSTREAM. BOTH THE PILOT AND THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT FELT THAT THE BACKWARDS CAP HAD SIPHONED OFF SOME OF THE FUEL, LEADING TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION OR OTHER SOURCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35931](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35931), registered now, S/N 5821, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-821
- Airframe hours: 2484
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patten, Clayton P.
- Registered owner: Patten, Clayton P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1991, 31 hours before
- Departed: 9V9, CHAMBERLAIN, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 200 total, 9 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19920417016799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920417016799A), Apr 17, 1992: Piper J5A, Broadus, MT, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Fuel use higher than normal possibly due to fuel cap vent placed backwards. Siphoned fuel.

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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