# NTSB SEA93LA197: Piper PA-28-181, N6114J, Merrill, OR, September 10, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 1993, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Merrill, OR - Coordinates: 42.039085, -121.550086 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0391&lon=-121.5501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41765 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41765/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA197 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION AND INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER APPROXIMATELY NINE MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. DURING THE POST CRASH INSPECTION, THE FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1993, at 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N6114J, collided with the terrain during an emergency forced landing near Merrill, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The flight had departed from Red Bluff, California, on September 10, 1993, at 1435 and was en route to Klamath Falls, Oregon. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he planned a flight from San Jose, California, to Klamath Falls, with a stop in Red Bluff. The fuel tanks were full at the time of departure from San Jose, and no fuel was added before departing from Red Bluff. The pilot stated that the flight was not direct and course deviations for terrain clearance and sightseeing were performed along the route. At 1605, the pilot cancelled the VFR flight plan with Redmond Flight Service Station and the flight continued direct to Klamath Falls. At 1620, the flight was approximately 20 miles from Klamath Falls when the engine sputtered. The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine resumed full power. At this time, the pilot stated that he assumed that the airplane still had approximately two hours of fuel remaining. When the flight was approximately nine miles from the airport and descending, the engine quit. The pilot tried to restart the engine without success. The pilot then selected a country road for the forced landing, however, when the airplane was on final approach, the pilot noted that a truck was on the road and in his landing path. The pilot diverted to an open field where the airplane collided with the terrain during the landing roll. During the post crash inspection, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office reported that the fuel tanks were empty. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6114J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6114J-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 28-7690344, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7690344 - Airframe hours: 1996 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tradewinds Aviation - Registered owner: Miller, Timothy J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1993, 108 hours before - Departed: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA - Destination: LMT, KLAMATH FALLS, OR - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 13 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 11 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LMT, 9 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 19930910034519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930910034519A), Sep 10, 1993: Piper PA28181, Merrill, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power near airport. Unable restart. Crashed rough terrain. Fuel tanks were empty. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.