MARSHFIELD, MA, USA
N9143Y
PIPER PA-28-181
DURING THE SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT PERFORMED A TOUCH AND GO LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND STARTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. DURING THE RETURN TRIP, THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER, AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT STATED, '...I PROCEEDED BACK [TO MARSHFIELD] AND RAN OUT OF FUEL APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY....' ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY 'REFUELING.' THE FAA INSPECTOR'S STATEMENT STATED, '...NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE SCENE....' ADDITIONALLY, APPROXIMATELY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE FOUND, WHICH CONSISTED OF 1 GALLON IN EACH, THE RIGHT AND LEFT, FUEL TANK.
On July 9, 1995, about 1320 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N9143Y, collided with trees during a forced landing near Marshfield, Massachusetts. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which originated from Marshfield Airport at 0930. There was a visual flight rules flight plan filed which had not been activated. The flight was conducted as an instructional flight by Shoreline Aviation, under CFR 14 Part 91. In his report, the pilot stated: The flight was a cross country solo flight. After weather briefing, proceeded to Westerly, Rhode Island. Flight to Westerly was longer than expected so did a touch [and] go landing and started to return to Marshfield. I strayed from course until I found myself north of Norwood. I proceeded back and ran out of fuel approximately 3 miles short of the runway [at Marshfield Airport]....Left about 0930 and landed approximately 1300 to 1315. No services obtained enroute. Additionally, in the NTSB form 6120.1/2, under recommendations of how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "refueling." The FAA Inspector stated in her report, ...Investigation revealed no evidence of fuel leakage at the scene. Upon inspection of the right fuel tank, a quantity of approximately 1 gallon was found. The integrity of the left tank and system was intact and inspection revealed approximately 1 gallon. The certification data reflects that this make and model aircraft has 2 gallons unusable fuel, approximately 1 gallon per wing tank. After the aircraft was uprighted and allowed to settle, the fuel strainer bowl drain was checked for fuel. Only a few drops came out of the strainer. The pilot stated that he noticed he was low on fuel but thought he would make it to [Marshfield]. The engine sputtered at one point and he switched tanks. The engine ran for a while but then stopped at which point he began searching for a clearing in which to land. Altitude was lost prior to reaching the clearing....
the pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation, inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and failure to refuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent collision with trees during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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