On October 11, 1988, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N8112T) operated by Chas. W. Beene was involved in an aviation accident near Indianapolis, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot and his family of three were returning from a Florida vacation. After a fuel stop in Columbus, Georgia, they attempted a non-stop flight to Kokomo, Indiana. About 50 miles short, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted a night landing in a field but struck a power line and crashed into trees.
Introduction
A pilot and his family of three were returning from a vacation in Florida. The flight included a fuel stop in Columbus, Georgia, before attempting a non-stop leg to Kokomo, Indiana.
Flight and Power Loss
Approximately 50 miles from the intended destination, the engine lost power as a result of fuel exhaustion. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for an emergency landing in a field near a residential subdivision.
Accident Sequence
The landing attempt occurred at night. During the approach, the airplane struck a power line and subsequently crashed into a grove of trees. The accident sequence ended with the airplane coming to rest among the trees.
Probable cause
The engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.
