GRAND PRAIRIE, TX, USA
N471FT
PIPER PA-28-140
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT REFUELED THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THE FINAL LEG OF A CROSS COUNTRY AND HAD MISJUDGED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REACH HIS DESTINATION. EN ROUTE THERE WAS A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT INITIATED A NIGHT FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND TREES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND.
On August 28, 1993, at 2139 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N471FT, was substantially damaged when it collided with wires and trees during a night forced landing following an engine power loss near Grand Prairie, Texas. The rental airplane, flown by a private pilot, was on a personal cross country flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and the two passengers received minor injuries. According to the pilot, he had departed the Addison Airport, with about 18 gallons of fuel aboard, and flown to Stephenville, Texas. He further stated that he did not refuel in Stephenville and indicated to the FAA coordinator that he had miscalculated the amount of fuel on board the airplane at the time of his departure. The pilot said that during the return flight, he ran out of fuel and executed a forced landing. Air Traffic Control attempted to give the pilot vectors to the Dallas Naval Air Station; however, the airplane was unable to make it to the runway. During the final descent, the airplane struck wires, trees, and then the ground. The occupants were able to extricate themselves and walk to a nearby road. The pilot was provided with a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report; however, he failed to return it during the investigation and numerous attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.
THE FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS, THE PILOT'S MISCALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REQUIRED FOR THE FLIGHT, AND HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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