On October 18, 2004, a Piper PA-28-160 (registration N5520W) was involved in an aviation accident near Altoona, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate fuel management leading to the fuel starvation in the left tank during the flight's descent. A factor was the impacted power line. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after losing engine power in flight. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions; examination revealed minimal fuel in the left tank.
Accident Details
An airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a power line and terrain during a forced landing. The in-flight loss of engine power necessitated the landing.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported departing from KLNR at 5:55 for Eau Claire airport to drop off a passenger. The pilot stated that the airplane had been flying off the left tank. No mechanical malfunctions were reported regarding the flight. The pilot offered a safety recommendation of "maybe fuel exhaustion."
Examination
An on-scene examination of the wreckage found 12.5 gallons of fuel in the right tank and approximately one pint of fuel in the left tank.
What happened in the 18 Oct 2004 Piper PA-28-160 accident near Altoona, WI?
An airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after losing engine power in flight. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions; examination revealed minimal fuel in the left tank.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Oct 2004 involved a Piper PA-28-160, registration N5520W, at Altoona, WI.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inadequate fuel management leading to the fuel starvation in the left tank during the flight's descent. A factor was the impacted power line.
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