Piper PA-28-180 N7767N

Summary

On 20 July 2005 at about 20:42 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N7767N was involved in an accident near Copake, New York, United States. One person was on board and 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

20 July 2005 at 20:42

Classification

Accident

Location

Copake, New York, United States

Coordinates

42.1331, -73.5986

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N7767N

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Clearfield → Great Barringto

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD05LA105

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent 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 stated that the airplane was fueled to a point just above the "tabs" in the fuel tanks, which he estimated to be 40 gallons of fuel. After his preflight, he departed on a cross country flight, and climbed to 5,500 feet msl. After descending to 2,500 feet msl, the engine began to "sputter" and lost power. After advising Air Traffic Control (ATC) of his problem, ATC advised the pilot of the closest airport. During the descent, the pilot attempted to restart the engine without result. The propeller continued to windmill and no fuel pressure was indicated. He tried to start the engine again, and switch tanks, but again the engine did not start. He continued to glide the airplane to the airport which ATC had identified, but realized he would not make it, and decided to attempt an off airport landing. On approach to a field, he passed over some trees and a house, and selected "full flaps" for landing. The field was "too short," and after gliding the length of the field, the airplane impacted trees and was substantially damaged. The airplane had been airborne for approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. During an interview, the pilot stated "that he had over 5 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank and 15 to 20 gallons in the right fuel tank." Examination of the fuel system revealed that, the carburetor bowl was dry. No fuel was visible in the fuel tanks and no evidence of fuel staining or spillage was present at the accident site.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.