Piper PA-28-140 accident near Owasso, Oklahoma, February 12, 2001
On February 12, 2001 at about 6:40 am local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N2457Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Owasso, Oklahoma (Not Applicable airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's delay in switching the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation in cruise flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 12, 2001 · about 6:40 am local time
- Place
- Owasso, Oklahoma · Not Applicable · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N2457Q · no longer on the register · serial 28-7725195
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The cross-country flight departed in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, and experienced "strong headwinds" and carburetor icing. The flying pilot applied carburetor heat, reduced the engine RPM, and readjusted the mixture in an attempt to increase the endurance. When the flight was approximately 35 miles from its destination, the low voltage light illuminated and the ammeter read zero. The flight was diverted to an airport with a precision approach; however, the engine started to lose power. The non-flying pilot switched the fuel selector from the left fuel tank, which the flight crew assumed to be empty, to the right fuel tank, which contained an estimated 10 gallons of fuel; however, the engine power did not change. The pilots requested vectors to the nearest airport; however, when the airplane broke out of the clouds at 800 feet agl, they could not reach the airport. The flying pilot set up for a landing in a field, where the airplane impacted a fence post during the landing roll. Examination of the airplane at the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed that the left fuel tank contained residual fuel only and the right fuel tank was compromised by impact damage. The engine was test run following the accident, and no anomalies were noted with either the engine or the alternator.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 547 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 312 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 26, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 63 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 242 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 15, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,826.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 6, 2000; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GWO Greenwood MS at 2:35 am
- Destination: RVS Tulsa OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,300 ft; clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 6:26 am from TUL, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| 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.