Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18-135 near Twin Falls, ID — 2015-07-03

Final reportGAA15CA164
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Date
2015-07-03
Location
Twin Falls, ID, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18-135
Registration
N8086C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel inspection during his preflight fuel performance planning task, resulting in fuel exhaustion en route, and an emergency landing and collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, he exhausted the useable fuel on board the airplane. The pilot made an emergency off airport landing, and the airplane collided with terrain and came to rest in a corn field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that he visually checked the fuel level via the sight gauge during his pre-flight, however he did not physically check the fuel cell. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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