Summary
On March 13, 1995, a Piper PA-28-181 (N4359Y) was involved in an incident near Boise, ID. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL.
On March 12, 1995, at 1935 mountain standard time, N4359Y, a Piper PA-28-181, operated by Sportsman Airpark, Inc., Newberg, Oregon, impacted terrain during an emergency landing near Boise, Idaho, and was substantially damaged. The emergency landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The personal flight departed from Vale, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot, the flight was en route to Hailey, Idaho when the pilot noted that the skies were darkening and the weather began to worsen.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA95LA066. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4359Y.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 12, 1995, at 1935 mountain standard time, N4359Y, a Piper PA-28-181, operated by Sportsman Airpark, Inc., Newberg, Oregon, impacted terrain during an emergency landing near Boise, Idaho, and was substantially damaged. The emergency landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The personal flight departed from Vale, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot, the flight was en route to Hailey, Idaho when the pilot noted that the skies were darkening and the weather began to worsen. The pilot stated that the aircraft did not have fully operable cabin and instrument lights, and that he did not hold night flying privileges; therefore, he decided to turn back and fly to Boise. About 3 to 4 minutes after he turned back, the pilot stated that the "right tank ran out" of fuel. The pilot switched to the left tank, and it too "ran out of fuel" shortly thereafter. The pilot was vectored to Interstate 84 where an emergency landing was made. The left wing tip impacted the median and the airplane spun around. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Boise, Idaho, the left wing was substantially damaged. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported.
The flight originally departed from Newberg, Oregon, with stops at Salem, Oregon, and Vale, Oregon.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA95LA066