Piper PA-28-181 N4839F

Summary

On 30 November 1996 at about 22:40 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N4839F was involved in an accident near Long Pond, Pennsylvania, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 November 1996 at 22:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Long Pond, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

41.0494, -75.4408

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Registration

N4839F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Montague → Pittstown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC97LA023

3 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Darkness and trees in the emergency landing area were related factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was en route at night in instrument meteorological conditions at 8000 feet, when he reported that fuel exhaustion had occurred and the engine had lost power. He made a forced landing in a wooded area, and the occupants remained with the airplane overnight. They were rescued the next morning by search personnel, aided by the signal from the emergency locator beacon of the airplane. The accident occurred on the return leg of a round trip flight. The pilot last refueled the aircraft before starting the trip. The aircraft was subsequently operated about 4.2 hours (2.2 hours on the accident leg) when the loss of power occurred. Examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tanks were empty. The pilot indicated that he checked the fuel level during the preflight and felt he had enough to complete the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.