# NTSB SEA97LA210: Piper PA-44-180, N357DA, The Dalles, OR, September 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1997, 21:54 local (Sep 14, 1997, 04:54 UTC) - Place: The Dalles, OR - Coordinates: 45.540046, -121.150718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5400&lon=-121.1507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42691 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42691/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA210 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command(CFI)'s failure to refuel which subsequently led to fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - 2 engines - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission - object - sign ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that during the last leg of a long cross country-flight, the left engine lost power. About fifteen minutes later, the right engine lost power. During the emergency descent for landing on an interstate highway, the airplane struck power lines. The airplane landed on the interstate and during the landing roll, the airplane's right wing struck a sign post. After the accident, inspection of the fuel system revealed that approximately one gallon of fuel remained in the system. The flight instructor stated that they had intended to refuel at the last departure point, however, he mistakenly figured the flight time to the final destination, and decided not to refuel. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1997, at 2154 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N357DA, registered to and operated by Aerowest as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with a transmission wire during a forced landing on an interstate highway near The Dalles, Oregon. During the landing roll, the right wing struck a pole. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight instructor, private pilot and their two passengers were not injured. The flight had originated from Pullman, Washington about one hour prior to the accident. The flight instructor reported that while en route at 7,000 feet, the left engine lost power. While the flight instructor was going through the emergency checklist, the second pilot, who was flying the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions, made a turn that the instructor was unaware of. About 15 minutes after the left engine lost power, the right engine lost power. When the airplane broke out of the clouds, the flight instructor thought that they were still heading west, and then noticed that they had turned around and were heading toward The Dalles. Unable to find an airport to land on, the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a landing on Interstate 84 near The Dalles. Before touchdown, the airplane struck power lines that crossed the highway. During the landing roll, the airplane's right wing struck a sign post and a highway reflector pole. After the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane for any fuel leaks or signs of blocks in the fuel system. None were found. The inspector stated that less than a gallon of fuel remained in the fuel system. Fuel was then supplied to the engines. Both engines started immediately and were run for a few minutes before they were shut down. The flight instructor stated that the purpose of the flight was a long instructional cross-country flight. The flight had taken off from Troutdale en route to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where a touch and go was made and then proceeded to Pullman, where a landing was made. While en route, to Coeur d'Alene, the flight instructor failed the engines at different times. Cruise power was set and the mixture was leaned. The total flight time for these legs was two hours and 40 minutes. The flight instructor stated that they had planned on refueling at Pullman, however, he mistakenly figured the flight time from Pullman to Troutdale, and thought that they would have at least one hour of fuel reserve upon landing at Troutdale, therefore, they did not take on any fuel at Pullman. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N357DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N357DA-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 44-7995271, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44-7995271 - Airframe hours: 6375 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael P. Edger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1997, 76 hours before - Departed: PUW, PULLMAN, WA - Destination: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,217 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,159 as pilot in command, 288 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TTD, 51 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 19970914026579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970914026579A), Sep 14, 1997: Piper PA44180, Dalles, OR, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on interstate west of Dalles, after reporting engine failure. 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.