Piper PA28R-180 accident near Walbridge, OH
On February 28, 1998, a Piper PA28R-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Walbridge, OH. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 28, 1998
- Place
- Walbridge, OH
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28R-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.600°N, 83.339°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X09605
NTSB summary
On February 27, 1998, at 1904 eastern standard time, a Piper PA28R-180, N4679J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing and collision with wires near Walbridge, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries and the passenger was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Sandusky, Ohio, destined for the Toledo Suburban Airport, Lambertville, Michigan. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to fly to Sandusky to pick up a passenger and return to the Toledo Suburban Airport (5G9). During his preflight of the airplane he estimated the fuel level in the tanks. He stated: "...stopped at the right fuel tank and looked inside. I observed the fuel was even with the point where the bottom of the tank meets the outboard vertical wall of the tank...I judged this to represent 13 gallons of fuel based on data I had obtained from my Universal Fuel gauge...The calibration card and Universal Fuel Gauge were in my flight kit which was at my home. I did not have it with me...I checked the left tank, and found the fuel to be level with a point about 2 inches from the outboard vertical wall, along the bottom surface of the tank. I judged this amount to be about 7-8 gallons..." The pilot took off from 5G9 about 1805, and arrived at Sandusky about 1830. Before takeoff, he performed another preflight of the airplane and fuel tanks. He stated: "...The fuel in the right tank was down about 30% compared to earlier. Put another way
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft resulting in fuel exhaustion, and his unsuccessful attempt to clear the wires. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight, dark night conditions, and the wires.
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Browse: Ohio · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
