# NTSB SEA95LA066: Piper PA-28-181, N4359Y, Boise, ID, March 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 1995, 19:35 local (Mar 13, 1995, 02:35 UTC) - Place: Boise, ID - Coordinates: 43.560894, -116.209136 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5609&lon=-116.2091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42122/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA066 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS EN ROUTE TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT BECAUSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DETERIORATING ALONG HIS ROUTE FOR HIS INTENDED DESTINATION. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK WHICH RAN OUT OF FUEL A SHORT TIME LATER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO A HIGHWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE MEDIAN. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 1995, at 1935 mountain standard time, N4359Y, a Piper PA-28-181, operated by Sportsman Airpark, Inc., Newberg, Oregon, impacted terrain during an emergency landing near Boise, Idaho, and was substantially damaged. The emergency landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The personal flight departed from Vale, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, the flight was en route to Hailey, Idaho when the pilot noted that the skies were darkening and the weather began to worsen. The pilot stated that the aircraft did not have fully operable cabin and instrument lights, and that he did not hold night flying privileges; therefore, he decided to turn back and fly to Boise. About 3 to 4 minutes after he turned back, the pilot stated that the "right tank ran out" of fuel. The pilot switched to the left tank, and it too "ran out of fuel" shortly thereafter. The pilot was vectored to Interstate 84 where an emergency landing was made. The left wing tip impacted the median and the airplane spun around. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Boise, Idaho, the left wing was substantially damaged. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The flight originally departed from Newberg, Oregon, with stops at Salem, Oregon, and Vale, Oregon. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4359Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4359Y), registered now, S/N 28-8490073, built 1984 (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: 28-8390073 - Airframe hours: 2128 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sportsman Airpark, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1995, 26 hours before - Departed: S49, VALE, OR - Destination: SUN, HAILEY, ID - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 141 total, 141 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BOI, 7 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 19950312003719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950312003719A), Mar 12, 1995: Piper PA28181, Boise, ID, Substantial damage. Encountered weather. Made 180 to fly to Boise. Ran out of fuel. Landed on highway. Wing struck median on rollout. 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.