Piper PA-28-180 accident near Palermo, New York, March 28, 2010
On March 28, 2010 at about 7:25 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N3442R, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Palermo, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 28, 2010 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Palermo, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N3442R · no longer on the register · serial 28-5681
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to departure the pilot obtained a standard preflight weather briefing. Based on the pilot's input pertaining to flight performance parameters, the flight's duration was calculated to be about 3 hours, with an estimated fuel consumption of 29.3 gallons; this fuel consumption rate was based on the pilot's historical experience of 10.0 gallons per hour. The pilot stated that the flight departed with 34 gallons of usable fuel on board. After takeoff, the pilot obtained visual-flight-rules flight following and proceeded toward the destination airport. The engine experienced a total loss of power and, approximately 3 hours 7 minutes after takeoff, the pilot advised the controller that she had exhausted the airplane's fuel supply. The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward a field and the airplane collided with a tree during the descent. Inspection of the accident site and wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the left wing was separated. No fuel was found in either main fuel tank and there was no evidence of leakage from either fuel filler cap or sump drain. A total of 1.5 ounces of fuel were drained from the carburetor bowl. Inspection of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 289 hours in all; 47 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 243 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 10, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,023 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 5, 2009; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Williamson Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: LCI Laconia NH at 4:15 pm
- Destination: SDC Williamson/Sodu NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from FZY, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.