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Casualties unknown

Night Cross-Country Flight Ends in Fuel Exhaustion Due to Inoperative Landing Light (N9326T)

Whitharral, TX, US

On July 18, 1991, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N9326T) operated by Steven Bernstein was involved in an aviation accident near Whitharral, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply during a night cross-country flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing with an inoperative landing light that had been detected during preflight. 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 2026-06-22Data APIEditorial standards

During a night cross-country flight, the aircraft exhausted its fuel supply while flying without visual references on a dark night. The pilots were forced to land with an inoperative landing light that had been detected during preflight.

What happened

The accident occurred during a night cross-country flight when the airplane exhausted fuel on board. The two pilots were flying without visual references on a dark night and were forced to make a landing with the landing light inoperative. The inoperative landing light was detected on the preflight. The airplane struck the ground in a left roll greater than 90 degrees.

The investigation

The investigation revealed that the pilots had been flying without visual references on a dark night and were forced to make a landing with the landing light inoperative. The inoperative landing light was detected on the preflight. The airplane struck the ground in a left roll greater than 90 degrees.

Findings

The investigation revealed that the pilots had been flying without visual references on a dark night and were forced to make a landing with the landing light inoperative. The inoperative landing light was detected on the preflight. The airplane struck the ground in a left roll greater than 90 degrees.

Safety message

The investigation revealed that the pilots had been flying without visual references on a dark night and were forced to make a landing with the landing light inoperative. The inoperative landing light was detected on the preflight. The airplane struck the ground in a left roll greater than 90 degrees.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply during a night cross-country flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing with an inoperative landing light that had been detected during preflight.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jul 1991 Piper PA-38-112 accident near Whitharral, TX?

During a night cross-country flight, the aircraft exhausted its fuel supply while flying without visual references on a dark night. The pilots were forced to land with an inoperative landing light that had been detected during preflight.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jul 1991 involved a Piper PA-38-112, registration N9326T, operated by Steven Bernstein, at Whitharral, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel supply during a night cross-country flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing with an inoperative landing light that had been detected during preflight.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17549. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.