Piper PA-28-140 N56885

Summary

On 17 February 2002 at about 14:39 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N56885 was involved in an accident near Newbolds Corner, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

17 February 2002 at 14:39

Classification

Accident

Location

Newbolds Corner, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Flying W Airport (N14)

Coordinates

40.2991, -74.5204

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N56885

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bedford → Atlantic City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02LA062

2 people had minor injuries.

Improper maintenance which resulted in a loss of fuel and subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were the pilot's failure to monitor the fuel quantity gauges, and the gusty wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the Piper PA-28-140 reported that he departed on a cross-country flight with full fuel tanks. After 2 hours and 5 minutes of flight, the engine lost power, and he performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the airplane revealed no fuel in the tanks, and a fuel stain on the firewall. When fuel was added and the fuel system pressurized, fuel leaked from the b-nut at the exit side of the engine driven fuel pump. The b-nut was able to be tightened two full turns by hand. The engine had recently been removed and replaced, and the fuel sensors in the wings changed. The maintenance was performed at an FAA approved repair station. However, there was no specific requirement for inspection of fuel lines prior to returning the airplane to service. In addition, the pilot reported that he did not believe the accuracy of the fuel gauges.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.