Piper PA-28-140 N7389J

Summary

On 16 July 2007 at about 02:50 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N7389J was involved in an accident near E.Stroudsburg, 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

16 July 2007 at 02:50

Classification

Accident

Location

E.Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Stroudsburg-Pocono Airport (N53)

Coordinates

41.0400, -75.1733

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N7389J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Allentown → E.Stroudsburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

NYC07LA168

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of a Piper PA-28-140 was returning to his original departure airport after conducting stop-and-go landings at two other airports. Another pilot, who entered the traffic pattern at the same time as the accident pilot, heard the accident pilot transmit that he was turning on to the left base leg of the traffic pattern for the active runway. No further transmissions were heard from the accident airplane. The airplane was observed moments before the accident to be just above the top of trees before passing over a house while turning to the left. It then sounded like the "engine turned off." The sound of a thump was then heard. A resident ventured into the woods, and discovered the wreckage of the airplane. She did not smell any gasoline and discovered the pilot lying near the fuselage. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunction of the airplane or engine. The propeller exhibited signatures consistent with a low rpm (windmilling) event. The left wing was separated from its attachment fittings and was found leading edge down leaning against a tree. One to two gallons of fuel were discovered in the forward portion of the tank. The right wing's fuel tank was breached and void of fuel. No fuel staining was observed on the ground surrounding the tank, and no smell of fuel was detected on site. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.