On November 30, 1996, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N4839F) was involved in an aviation accident near Long Pond, PA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. 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 reported fuel exhaustion and engine power loss during a night flight in instrument meteorological conditions. The aircraft made a forced landing in a wooded area; occupants spent the night and were rescued the next morning via ELT signal.
Accident Overview
While en route at 8,000 feet during night instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot declared fuel exhaustion and subsequent engine power loss. The forced landing occurred in a wooded area. The occupants remained with the airplane overnight and were rescued the following morning by search personnel, who were guided by the aircraft's emergency locator beacon signal.
Flight Details
The accident took place on the return leg of a round-trip flight. The pilot had refueled the aircraft prior to departure. The aircraft operated for approximately 4.2 hours total, with 2.2 hours on the accident leg before the loss of power.
Post-Accident Examination
Inspection of the airplane revealed empty fuel tanks. The pilot stated that he had checked the fuel level during preflight and believed there was sufficient fuel to complete the flight.
What happened in the 30 Nov 1996 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Long Pond, PA?
A pilot reported fuel exhaustion and engine power loss during a night flight in instrument meteorological conditions. The aircraft made a forced landing in a wooded area; occupants spent the night and were rescued the next morning via ELT signal.
Were there any fatalities in the 30 Nov 1996 Piper PA-28-181 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 Nov 1996 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N4839F, at Long Pond, PA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Darkness and trees in the emergency landing area were related factors.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…