# NTSB SEA92LA158: Piper PA-23-160, N4317P, Burley, ID, July 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1992, 19:00 local (Jul 21, 1992, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Burley, ID
- Coordinates: 42.39056, -113.780212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3906&lon=-113.7802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA158

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION WHEN ANTICIPATED FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS NOT ADEQUATELY CALCULATED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - 2 engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA 23 160 SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT LANDED ABOUT A HALF MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AT BURLEY, IDAHO, AFTER A LOSS OF POWER IN BOTH ENGINES.  THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A GO AROUND AND WAS ON HIS SECOND APPROACH, AT THE CONCLUSION OF A FLIGHT FROM ST. GEORGE, UT.   FAA INSPECTORS INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT AND ATTRIBUTED THE POWER LOSS TO BOTH ENGINES TO HAVE BEEN FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN ALOFT FOR LESS THAN 3.5 HOURS. NORMAL CRUISE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS 16 GPH.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FUELED TO A TOTAL OF 72 GALLONS BEFORE DEPARTURE.  CALM WIND RANGE OF THE AIRCRAFT IS APPROXIMATELY 600 NAUTICAL MILES WITH VFR RESERVES.  AIRWAY DISTANCE FOR THIS FLIGHT IS 388 KNOTS; OR 320 KNOTS DIRECT.  THE CAUSE OF EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4317P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4317P-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 23-1818, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 231818
- Airframe hours: 7137
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wesley F. Johnson
- Registered owner: Wesley F. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1992, 99 hours before
- Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT
- Destination: BYI, BURLEY, ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BYI, Burley Muni, runway 2, 4,094 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 254 total, 9 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19920720026019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920720026019A), Jul 20, 1992: Piper PA23160, Burley, ID, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach. Crash landed short of runway. Indicates pilot misjudged fuel burn.

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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