PIPER PA28
Addison, TX — May 8, 2018
Event Information
| Date | May 8, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA264 |
| Event ID | 20180508X95423 |
| Location | Addison, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.00028, -96.82806 |
| Airport | ADDISON |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA28 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NBRT |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he departed with about 40 to 45 gallons of fuel for a calculated 3.9 tach hour flight with a 10 gallon per hour fuel burn. He added that, en route, the engine sputtered and he knew the right fuel tank was empty. He switched to the left fuel tank and continued to the destination airport. About 30 minutes from the destination airport, the engine sputtered and experienced a total loss of power. During the forced landing, the airplane landed in a parking lot and impacted a pole.
The pilot reported that the airplane "ran out of gas".
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.