Piper PA-28-180 accident near Sanborn, IA
On June 23, 2009, a Piper PA-28-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sanborn, IA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 23, 2009
- Place
- Sanborn, IA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 43.201°N, 95.733°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090623X33607
Official records · CEN09FA377
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 23, 2009, at 1057 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 single-engine airplane, N7795N, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Sanborn, Iowa. The private pilot, a pilot-rated passenger, and another passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport (61C), Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, approximately 0807 and was en route to Winner, South Dakota. Family members reported the pilot and passengers were flying to South Dakota for a hunting trip. Prior to departure, the airplane was refueled by the pilot and passengers with 12 gallons of fuel at a self-serve fuel pump at 61C. The total amount of fuel on board the airplane at the time of departure could not be determined. A witness, who overheard portions of the pilot and passengers' conversations while they were removing the airplane from the hangar, stated that one person in the group mentioned that filling the tanks to the tabs would not be enough fuel to make it to their destination. The witness overheard the group say they planned for a fuel stop along the route of flight. A family member of one passenger stated that in the days preceding the accident flight, the passenger mentioned that they could not depart with full fuel tanks due to the high temperatures and expected weight of the airplane. The airplane was equipped with a portable Garmin GPSMAP 295 global positioning system (GPS) recei
Probable cause
A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning and failure to refuel.
More accidents in IA
- Rockwell 500-S, Nov 25, 1985
- Piper PA28, Nov 9, 2018
- Cessna 340A, Feb 17, 2007
- Piper PA-32-260, Dec 18, 2003
- Piper PA-28-140, Mar 6, 1993
Browse: Iowa · 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.
