Piper PA-28-235 N31SW

Summary

On 6 August 2002 at about 14:35 local time, a Piper PA-28-235 registered N31SW was involved in an accident near Coatesville, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 August 2002 at 14:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Coatesville, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Chester County Airport (40N)

Coordinates

39.9789, -75.8653

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-235

Registration

N31SW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Delaware → Coatesville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02LA155

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's inaccurate in-flight planning and fuel consumption calculations, and his improper decision to not land and refuel which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he flight planned the cross-country flight using a "more conservative" fuel burn rate of 15 gallons per hour. The flight departed with full fuel tanks. During the 4.8-hour flight, the pilot diverted to a different airport due to weather, and remained overnight. The airplane was not refueled during the layover, and departed the next day. Approaching the destination airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted to enter the traffic pattern, and while on the downwind leg, realizing that he would not be able to land on a runway, the pilot performed a forced landing to a wooded area. After the accident, the pilot stated to the airplane's owner that he was concerned about running out of fuel, and that the engine had quit on downwind. Examination of the wreckage revealed that both wing fuel tanks were ruptured, and no fuel was observed in either the fuel tanks or lines. According to the airplane's Information Manual, the total fuel capacity of the airplane was 84 gallons, 82 of which were usable. Review of a Lycoming O-540-B series engine operator's manual revealed that the fuel burn, at a power setting of 70 percent, at a pressure altitude of 6,000 feet, and a full rich mixture setting, was about 15 gallons per hour.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.