Casualties unknown

Aircraft Damaged During Emergency Landing After Fuel Exhaustion (N5543)

Bandon, OR, US

On May 3, 1985, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N5543) was involved in an aviation accident near Bandon, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A ferry flight for landing gear repair ended in an emergency landing after the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot relied on fuel gauges without visual check, and the aircraft was damaged short of the runway.

Accident Overview

A ferry flight intended to transport an aircraft for landing gear repair resulted in an emergency landing and damage to the aircraft. The engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion as the aircraft neared its destination.

Flight Details

The pilot was ferrying the aircraft to Bandon for landing gear repairs. The flight was conducted with the landing gear secured in the down position. The aircraft was fitted with locking fuel caps. Prior to departure, the pilot did not visually inspect the fuel level but relied on the fuel gauges. During the flight, the pilot consumed fuel from the left tank and subsequently switched to the right tank, which indicated a fuel level of approximately half full.

Engine Power Loss

A short time after switching to the right tank, while the aircraft was approaching the destination airport, the engine lost power. The cause was determined to be fuel exhaustion.

Emergency Landing

The aircraft subsequently executed an emergency landing. The landing occurred just short of the runway, and the aircraft sustained damage in the process.

Probable Cause

The engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X36609. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.