Piper PA-28-180 N704VP

Summary

On 7 September 2024 at about 20:50 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N704VP was involved in an accident near Grand Island, Nebraska, United States. 3 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

7 September 2024 at 20:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Grand Island, Nebraska, United States

Coordinates

40.9250, -98.3420

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N704VP

Category

Airplane

Year built

1965

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Central City → Grand Island

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA345

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning/preparation that resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight, a total loss of engine power, and an impact with terrain during a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he checked both wing fuel tanks by looking into their fuel filler ports prior to performing three takeoffs and landings at the departure airport to meet regulatory pilot currency requirements. There was about ¼ tank of fuel remaining in both tanks prior the flight. When the pilot completed the three takeoffs and landings, he taxied to the airport ramp to load bags and two passengers. The pilot then departed towards the destination airport where he planned on obtaining fuel and engine oil. About 10 mi from the destination airport, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane impacted terrain and sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no useable fuel. The pilot stated that the airplane experienced a loss of engine power because it ran out of fuel. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.