Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MKC86LA073

OIL TROUGH, AR, USA

Aircraft #1

N30561

PIPER PA-28-181

Analysis

THE PIC FOUND HIMSELF LOW ON FUEL WITH AN INDICATION OF ONLY 5 GALLONS IN EACH TANK. HE PASSED OVER AN ARPT WITH FUELING FACILITIES AVAILABLE BUT DIVERTED TO BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS, WHICH LAY 48 MILES BEYOND HIS PRESENT POSN. THE PIC STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING EAST OF THE BATEVILLE ARPT, BUT AS THE PIC TURNED TO LAND IN A FIELD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE ENSUING LANDING DAMAGED THE ACFT. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING CALCULATION WAS FOR 5.5 HOURS OF FUEL, BUT THE FLT TERMINATED AT 4.6 HOURS. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS CONFIRMED NO FUEL. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGES DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNIFICANT ERROR IN THE INDICATION. THE PIC'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED FOR A PLANNED FUEL STOP BEFORE NEEDING TO USE THE RESERVE FUEL SUPPLY.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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