Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Maitland, Florida
Accident Number: GAA19CA272
Date & Time: May 16, 2019, 17:30 Local
Registration: N6753W
Aircraft: Piper PA28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, about 10 miles from the destination airport, the engine lost all power. He switched to the other fuel tank and successfully restarted the engine. About 6 miles from the airport, the engine lost power again. The pilot then decided to land the airplane on a highway, but just before touchdown, the airplane struck a car, spun, and then impacted the road.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
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 no fuel was found in either tank.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, the total loss of engine power, and subsequent impact with a car during an emergency landing on a road.
Findings
Aircraft Fuel - Fluid level
Personnel issues Fuel planning - Pilot
Environmental issues Ground vehicle - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute Fuel exhaustion
Enroute Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Landing Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 6, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: June 18, 2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1894 hours (Total, all aircraft), 651 hours (Total, this make and model), 1770 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N6753W
Model/Series: PA28 140
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 28-20877
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2440 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2014 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KORL,112 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 19:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 150°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4900 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 110°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Anderson, SC (KAND)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Orlando, FL (ORL)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 14:00 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 28.629999,-81.389442(est)
My instructor would tell me that when the fuel no longer floweth the plane no longer flyeth.
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