Piper PA-28-140 accident near E.Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, July 16, 2007
On July 16, 2007 at about 2:50 am local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N7389J, was substantially damaged in an accident near E.Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania (Stroudsburg-Pocono Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2007 · about 2:50 am local time
- Place
- E.Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania · Stroudsburg-Pocono Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N7389J · no longer on the register · serial 28-24751
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a Piper PA-28-140 was returning to his original departure airport after conducting stop-and-go landings at two other airports. Another pilot, who entered the traffic pattern at the same time as the accident pilot, heard the accident pilot transmit that he was turning on to the left base leg of the traffic pattern for the active runway. No further transmissions were heard from the accident airplane. The airplane was observed moments before the accident to be just above the top of trees before passing over a house while turning to the left. It then sounded like the "engine turned off." The sound of a thump was then heard. A resident ventured into the woods, and discovered the wreckage of the airplane. She did not smell any gasoline and discovered the pilot lying near the fuselage. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunction of the airplane or engine. The propeller exhibited signatures consistent with a low rpm (windmilling) event. The left wing was separated from its attachment fittings and was found leading edge down leaning against a tree. One to two gallons of fuel were discovered in the forward portion of the tank. The right wing's fuel tank was breached and void of fuel. No fuel staining was observed on the ground surrounding the tank, and no smell of fuel was detected on site. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 560 hours in all; 250 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,734.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 15, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ABE Allentown PA at 2:11 am
- Destination: N53 E.Stroudsburg PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 3,087 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 12,000 ft; scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 am from MPO, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.