The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Old School Aircraft LLC
Location: Woodland, Tennessee
Accident Number: ERA21LA273
Date and Time: June 28, 2021, 16:48 Local
Registration: N818TF
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The solo-student pilot reported that, during his preflight inspection, the fuel level was “…just below the tabs in each wing.” He later reported that he took off with 24 gallons of fuel on board and the fuel capacity of the airplane was 50 gallons. Takeoff, departure, and enroute operations were uneventful. About one hour into the flight, he noted a loss of engine power. He attempted to maintain glide speed while pumping the throttle to regain power. Unable to regain power, he looked for an area to perform a forced landing. While approaching a field, the airspeed decreased to near stall speed and the airplane struck tress before reaching the open field. The airplane impacted the trees and came to rest in a nose low attitude.
An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and confirmed that damage to the fuselage and wings was substantial. The fuel selector was on the right tank position, and the right tank was uncompromised and empty of fuel. The left tank contained about 15 gallons of fuel. The pilot later reported that he never switched from the right tank during flight, and he failed to monitor his fuel status and allowed the fuel in the right tank to “burn out.”
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot’s inadequate monitoring of his fuel state during a solo training flight, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing.
Findings
Aircraft Fuel - Fluid management
Personnel issues Forgotten action/omission - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering Fuel starvation (Defining event)
Emergency descent Off-field or emergency landing
Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 18, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 2, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 26 hours (Total, all aircraft), 26 hours (Total, this make and model), 8 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N818TF
Model/Series: PA-28-180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1967
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28-4031
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 12, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6533 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A4A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 180
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMKL,433 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 16:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 89°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 7000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 150°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Jackson, TN (KLR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Woodland, TN
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 15:48 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 35.590358,-89.100681(est)
The flight originated at Jackson’s McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport and crashed in a wooded area just off Highway 70 East near Exit 66 about 5pm Monday.
The young man managed to get out of the airplane and walk to Highway 70 where he was able to call for help.
The crashed Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C took a while to find because it was obscured in trees. It didn’t catch on fire.
Shane Richards, who owns the flight school and the airplane that crashed, said the pilot may have had engine trouble and was apparently trying to land in a farmer’s field.
The teenager was certified to fly solo and was flying alone. He sustained lacerations to his head and was taken to a Jackson hospital by ambulance.
Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett Jr. said the crash will be investigated by the FAA.
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