Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N3756W
Analysis
The pilot reported that, before departure, he estimated that the right tip fuel tank was three-quarters full (about 14 gallons), and each main fuel tank had about 20 gallons of fuel.
The pilot reported that, during cruise, he decided to use the right tip fuel tank, even though he was aware that the right tip fuel tank gauge was inoperative. He added that, after about 25-30 minutes, he performed various stall maneuvers before returning to the departure airport to land. The pilot noticed a reduction in engine power and a drop in the manifold pressure and concluded that the airplane would not be able to return to the airport, so he continued a left turn toward a farm field. The pilot began to troubleshoot for carburetor ice to no avail. The airplane landed in the farm field and impacted a ditch.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot added that, during a postaccident examination, it was revealed that the right tip fuel tank was dry and "that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation."
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's inadequate inflight fuel management and his failure to switch to a fuel tank with adequate fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation.
Findings
Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid level (Cause)
Fuel - Fluid management (Cause)
Personnel issues
Lack of action - Pilot (Cause)
Fuel planning - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Object/animal/substance - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute
Fuel exhaustion (Defining event)
Landing
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Accident Number: GAA18CA184
Date & Time: 03/04/2018, 1330 PST
Registration: N3756W
Aircraft: PIPER PA32
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
The pilot reported that, prior to departure, he estimated that the right tip fuel tank was three-quarters full, about 14 gallons, and each main fuel tank had about 20 gallons of fuel.
The pilot reported that, during cruise, he decided to use the right tip fuel tank, even though he was aware that the right tip fuel tank gauge was inoperative. He added that, after about 25-30 minutes, he performed various stall maneuvers before returning to the departure airport to land. The pilot noticed a reduction in engine power, a drop in the manifold pressure, and concluded that the airplane would not be able to return to the airport, so he continued a left-hand turn towards a farm field. The pilot began to troubleshoot for carburetor ice, but to no avail. The airplane landed in the farm field and impacted a ditch.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot added that, during a postaccident examination, it was revealed that the right tip fuel tank was dry and "that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation."
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial; Military
Age: 36, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/09/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/30/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1978 hours (Total, all aircraft), 89.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 1900 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N3756W
Model/Series: PA32 260
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32-671
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/07/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3731.4 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-540 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPDX, 107 ft msl
Observation Time: 2053 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 125°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3500 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 2°C
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 25000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots, 190°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.24 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: SALEM, OR (SLE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: CAMAS, WA (1W1)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1245 PST
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: GROVE FIELD (1W1)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 429 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.350000, -122.240000 (est)
Pilot and passenger walked away unharmed after they were forced to land their small plane in a field north of Washougal Sunday afternoon.
Emergency crews were called to a large field in the 30900 block of Northeast 10th Street around 2 p.m., Clark County sheriff’s Deputy Chris Story said, after a plane en route to land at Grove Field made an emergency landing.
Story said the pair in the single-engine plane were practicing what to do in a stall when the plane suffered some kind of mechanical failure.
It was clear the airfield was too far away, Story said, so they landed the plane in the empty field, which is about 2 miles west of the Grove Field. No one was hurt and no property was damaged, Story said. The plane received minor damage.
Story said the plane will remain in the property owner’s field until the plane’s owners can tow it away. The Federal Aviation Administration was also investigating, he said.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.columbian.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A 4-seater plane carrying 2 men had to make an emergency landing on private property in Washougal on Sunday afternoon after the plane's engine lost power, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
No one was injured.
The plane landed off Northeast 10th street in Washougal at approximately 1:06 p.m. There was no property damage. There was minor damage to the plane.
The plane landed roughly 5 miles west of the Grove Field Airport in Camas.
The Federal Aviation Administration said an investigation is ongoing.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.koin.com
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