KALKASKA, MI, USA
N56523
PIPER PA-28-140
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS FUEL SUPPLY WAS EXHAUSTED DUE TO A STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED HEADWIND, AND HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. HE CONFIGURED THE AIRPLANE FOR LANDING AND ESTABLISHED A GLIDEPATH. HE DISCOVERED POWERLINES ACROSS HIS PLANNED GLIDEPATH AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO OVER FLY THE POWERLINES.
On May 19, 1995, at 0810 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N56523, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Kalkaska, Michigan. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a planned destination of East Port, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that his fuel supply was exhausted and he attempted to land on a road. He configured the airplane for landing and established a glidepath. He discovered powerlines across his planned glide path, and stalled the airplane when he attempted to over fly the powerlines. The pilot reported that he calculated the required fuel for the flight. In his written statement he reported that he encountered "stronger than anticipated headwinds at flight altitude" and made an "incorrect estimate of fuel on board as well as actual fuel consumption." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the wreckage, reported that both fuel tanks were empty. He reported no evidence of preimpact airframe or mechanical engine malfunction. The inspector reported that the airplane was last refueled in East Port, Michigan, the night before the accident. According to the inspector, a witness reported that the left tank was topped off and the right tank was filled up to the tab.
Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's poor preflight and inflight planning and decisions. Factors were the powerlines and the inadvertent stall.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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