# NTSB WPR23LA267: Piper PA-22-160, N9507D, Coquille Bay, OR, July 8, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 8, 2023, 14:33 local (21:33 UTC)
- Place: Coquille Bay, OR · Farm area
- Coordinates: 43.174194, -124.27574 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1742&lon=-124.2757&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192585/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192585
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA267

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-160, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102214), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the airplane reported that, after completing a preflight inspection of the airplane he departed for a local flight. While enroute, at about 1500 above ground level (agl), the right tank ran out of fuel and the “engine cut out.” As he was switching tanks, the airplane impacted terrain and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9507D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9507D), registered now, S/N 22-6422, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6422
- Year built: 1958
- Airframe hours: 1287.9
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S05, Bandon, OR
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 862.4 total, 11.9 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KOTH, 14 nm away
- METAR: KOTH 082056Z 30009KT 10SM CLR 17/10 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP161 T01720100 56007

## 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 20230708015179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230708015179A), Jul 8, 2023: Piper PA-22-160, Coquille, OR, Substantial damage. Following takeoff the airplane crashed into an open field, impacting a pond embankment just below the prop crushing the fixed NLG into the lower part of the…

## Other investigations on N9507D (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC89LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA130), Jun 7, 1989: Piper PA-22-160 (N9507D), Ft Leavenworth, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192585. 4.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16059484&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of phone conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15942622&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20-%20Pilot-Rel.pdf
- Record of phone conversation - land owner (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15921316&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20-%20Land%20owner-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15920845&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.pdf

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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