Piper PA-32R-300 N31SW

Summary

On 13 December 1996 at about 11:30 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N31SW was involved in an accident near Garnett, Kansas, United States. One person was 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

13 December 1996 at 11:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Garnett, Kansas, United States

Nearest airport

Garnett Municipal (K68)

Coordinates

38.2791, -95.2309

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-300

Registration

N31SW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Oklahoma City → Kansas City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI97LA042

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, including a delay in proceeding to an alternate airport after encountering fog during a night approach, which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had started working for the company four days before the accident. He said he had checked the Kansas City weather before he departed Oklahoma City, and expected it to be clear. However, when he arrived at Kansas City, fog had developed. The pilot flew three ILS approaches, but was unable to land due to the fog. He returned to VFR conditions near Garnett Municipal Airport. The pilot reported that as he approached the airport, one fuel tank ran dry. He switched fuel tanks. When he saw the airport, he was too close to make a landing, so he did a 360 degree turn to line up with the runway. However, the aircraft ran out of fuel, and the pilot made a forced landing into a field about 1/2 mile short of the runway. The landing gear was damaged during the landing. The aircraft was examined and no fuel was found in the tanks. The pilot reported that he was not tired or fatigued.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.