Piper PA-28-180 N9549J

Summary

On 4 May 1996 at about 02:05 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N9549J, operated by Morton I. Linnes, was involved in an accident near Bath, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and one was 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

4 May 1996 at 02:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Bath, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Allentown (ABE)

Coordinates

40.7193, -75.3903

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N9549J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Morton I. Linnes

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Concord → Perkasie

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC96LA098

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's improper in-flight decision and planning, and his mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. Darkness and low clouds 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 when he realized that he was low on fuel. He decided to divert to Allentown, Pennsylvania. About 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost power. During a subsequent forced landing, the airplane collided with a tree and was damaged. According to the pilot, '...After some time flying I realize that the headwinds (were) stronger than when I did my flight planning, but I (took) action too late.' Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed the fuel tanks were empty. There were no breaks or leaks in the fuel tanks or fuel lines. No mechanical malfunction was reported by either the pilot or the FAA. The pilot reported he had 36 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of departure. According to records, the airplane had been operated over 4 hours at the time of the power loss.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.