Interesting NTSB Accident Insights

Windchill

Windchill

Well-Known Member
This evening there was a crash near Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF, VA) and I came across an article that was detailing previous crashes at the airport. One incident listed in the article caught my attention as it blamed Air Traffic Control for the crash
n April 17, 2001: A single-engine Piper Arrow crashed when an air traffic controller failed to follow procedure. The pilot was killed.
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, so I looked it up in the Accident Database (Couldn't find it).

During my travels through the Accident Database, I came across this interesting Preliminary Report for a Piper Archer:

NTSB Identification: NYC02LA174.
Accident occurred Thursday, August 22, 2002 in Manassas, VA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/2/2004
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-181, registration: N9089C
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

After a 2-hour night flight, the engine began to "sputter," and subsequently lost total power. The pilot performed an uneventful forced landing to a light highway. Since the airplane was blocking vehicle traffic, the pilot elected to taxi the airplane from the road to a grass area. During the taxi, the airplane struck a metal road sign with the left wing. Examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were empty and there was no evidence of fuel leakage at the accident site. Additionally, the pilot stated after the accident that he had been flying for about 2 hours and ran out of fuel. The pilot did not refuel during the flight.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning, and his inadequate visual lookout while taxing on an off airport road. A factor related to the accident was the dark night conditions
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I didn't realize an Archer was capable of mid-air refueling.
 
That's how "CFIT" always sounds to me. Drove into the dirt in a perfectly good car?
 
First aerial refueling actually occured on this date, June 27, 1923. So, today is the 86th birthday of aerial refueling. Quite clever of you guys to start this thread with that in mind!

Refueling_1923.jpg
 
WacoFan said:
First aerial refueling actually occured on this date, June 27, 1923. So, today is the 86th birthday of aerial refueling. Quite clever of you guys to start this thread with that in mind!

Refueling_1923.jpg
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Man, the things pilots did in those days! I can't imagine being in aviation during the start of everything. It had to be so exciting. (Dangerous too.)
 
I have it on GOOD authority that Orange Anchor was in the lead DH-4 Tanker, while T-cart was flying the DH-4 recieving fuel.



(I keed, I keed!)
 
Windchill,

Funny you should post about this. I sent the author of that article an email last night, asking her what her source was for aviation accident information. If she replies, I'll let you guys know what she has to say.
 
Old Dominion Flyer said:
Windchill,

Funny you should post about this. I sent the author of that article an email last night, asking her what her source was for aviation accident information. If she replies, I'll let you guys know what she has to say.
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I was close to sending her an email as well. I am intrigued to hear her response if she replies.
 
WacoFan said:
First aerial refueling actually occured on this date, June 27, 1923. So, today is the 86th birthday of aerial refueling. Quite clever of you guys to start this thread with that in mind!
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Waco,
These airplanes have a tailwheel and 4 wings, but no radial. Are you going soft?
 
WacoFan said:
I have it on GOOD authority that Orange Anchor was in the lead DH-4 Tanker, while T-cart was flying the DH-4 recieving fuel.



(I keed, I keed!)
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Actually I was in the back seat of the receiver doing pre-quals. That's me standing up and 'suggesting' to the pilot he not allow any more fuel to spill into the second cockpit. What you can't see is my white scarf around his neck (early CRM for getting one's attention).
 
Orange Anchor said:
Actually I was in the back seat of the receiver doing pre-quals. That's me standing up and 'suggesting' to the pilot he not allow any more fuel to spill into the second cockpit. What you can't see is my white scarf around his neck (early CRM for getting one's attention).
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:rotfl:Good one!
 
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