Piper PA-28-180 N8284W

Summary

On 18 June 1998 at about 00:20 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N8284W was involved in an accident near Holly Springs, Mississippi, 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

18 June 1998 at 00:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Holly Springs, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N8284W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tulsa → Decatur

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA98LA186

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision with the miscalculation of the fuel consumption. Operating with an unreliable fuel gage was a contributing factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approaching the refueling airport, the engine lost power and the pilot was forced to land in a cornfield about 7 miles short of the airport, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot, who was acting as right seat copilot for the outbound trip, stated he realized the left fuel quantity gauge was not reliable because the needle did not move during that outbound trip. For the homebound trip, he was using the right fuel gauge and timing, assuming about 10 gallons per hour consumption rate for his en route fuel management. Examination of the wreckage site by FAA personnel revealed 1/2 to 3/8 inch of fuel in the bottom of the left fuel tank, no fuel in the right tank or fuel lines, and no evidence of fuel spillage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.