Piper PA-28-180 accident near Grand Island, Nebraska, September 7, 2024
On September 7, 2024 at about 8:50 pm local time, a 1965 Piper PA-28-180, registered N704VP, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Grand Island, Nebraska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning/preparation that resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight, a total loss of engine power, and an impact with terrain during a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 7, 2024 · about 8:50 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Island, Nebraska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180, built 1965 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N704VP · no longer on the register · serial 28-2888
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he checked both wing fuel tanks by looking into their fuel filler ports prior to performing three takeoffs and landings at the departure airport to meet regulatory pilot currency requirements. There was about ¼ tank of fuel remaining in both tanks prior the flight. When the pilot completed the three takeoffs and landings, he taxied to the airport ramp to load bags and two passengers. The pilot then departed towards the destination airport where he planned on obtaining fuel and engine oil. About 10 mi from the destination airport, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane impacted terrain and sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no useable fuel. The pilot stated that the airplane experienced a loss of engine power because it ran out of fuel. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel exhaustion during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise)
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (descent)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 193 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: July 24, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 07K Central City NE
- Destination: GRI Grand Island NE
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from GRI, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 3, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Correspondence | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.