FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Fuel Exhaustion During Night VOR Approach Leads to Emergency Landing (N8157R)

Norfolk, NE, US

On December 29, 1989, a Piper PA-32-301 (registration N8157R) was involved in an aviation accident near Norfolk, NE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS DELAY IN DIVERTING TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

While en route, the pilot encountered headwinds but believed fuel was sufficient. During a night VOR approach, low clouds obscured the airport. After a missed approach, the pilot requested vectors to an alternate, but fuel was exhausted before reaching it, resulting in an emergency landing in a cattle feed lot and damage from hitting a feed trough.

Flight Details

The pilot was en route when headwinds were encountered. Despite this, the pilot assessed that the remaining fuel was adequate for the planned flight.

Approach and Missed Approach

During a night VOR approach to an airport, low clouds prevented the pilot from sighting the airport at the missed approach point (MAP). A missed approach was executed, and the pilot contacted Minneapolis Center, requesting vectors to an alternate airport equipped with an instrument landing system (ILS) or with known visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, citing fuel concerns.

Fuel Exhaustion and Emergency Landing

Vectors were provided by Minneapolis Center, but the aircraft's fuel supply was exhausted before reaching a suitable airport. An emergency landing was made in a cattle feed lot. During the landing rollout, before the aircraft came to a stop, it struck a feed trough, resulting in damage to the aircraft.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Dec 1989 Piper PA-32-301 accident near Norfolk, NE?

While en route, the pilot encountered headwinds but believed fuel was sufficient. During a night VOR approach, low clouds obscured the airport. After a missed approach, the pilot requested vectors to an alternate, but fuel was exhausted before reaching it, resulting in an emergency landing in a cattle feed lot and…

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Dec 1989 Piper PA-32-301 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Dec 1989 involved a Piper PA-32-301, registration N8157R, at Norfolk, NE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

INPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS DELAY IN DIVERTING TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND DARK NIGHT.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X30002. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.