Piper PA-28 N29049

Summary

On 1 May 1991 at about 05:05 local time, a Piper PA-28 registered N29049, operated by Le Tourneau University, was involved in an accident near Longview, Texas, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 May 1991 at 05:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Longview, Texas, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-28

Registration

N29049

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Le Tourneau University

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Corsicana → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

FTW91LA071

Nobody was injured.

FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTING IN A COMPLETE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PIC/CFI'S FAILURE TO REFUEL AT INTERMEDIATE DESTINATIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE INSTRUCTIONAL ROUND-ROBIN IFR FLIGHT HAD CANCELLED IFR ON ITS FINAL LEG. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND INSTRUCTOR EXCHANGED SEATS WITH THE RATED PASSENGER PILOT OCCUPYING THE RIGHT REAR SEAT. AFTER 3.5 HOURS ELAPSED TIME THE RATED PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION BECAME THE PIC AND CONTINUED SIMULATED INSTRUMENT FLYING WITH THE RATED PASSENGER ACTING AS SAFETY PILOT. THE FUEL PLANNING HAD BEEN CONDUCTED BY BOTH PILOT'S. THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A COW. TOTAL FLIGHT TIME WAS 4.3 HOURS. DURING THE ROUND ROBIN, THE FLIGHT LANDED AT CORSICANA, TEXAS, BUT NO FUEL WAS PURCHASED. IN THE VICINITY OF TEXARKANA, TEXAS, THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED ABOUT 5 GALLONS APIECE AS THE FLIGHT INITIATED TIS FINAL LEG TO ITS HOME AIRPORT. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED ABOUT 10 MILES SHORT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.