Piper PA-38-112 accident near Salem, Connecticut, August 19, 1992
On August 19, 1992 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-38-112, registered N2519B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Salem, Connecticut. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INACCURATE FUEL CALCULATIONS AND HIS IMPROPER DECISION TO TAKEOFF WITH A KNOWN LIMITED FUEL SUPPLY RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 1992 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Salem, Connecticut
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · all PA-38-112s on the register
- Registration
- N2519B · registry record · serial 3879A0137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT LANDED AT AN AIRPORT TO REFUEL, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE FUEL. HE DECIDED TO TAKEOFF AND FLY TO ANOTHER AIRPORT FOR REFUELING. DURING CRUISE, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD AND STRUCK A TREE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE FAA FOUND LESS THAN ONE HALF A QUART OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS.
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
- Flight time: 104 hours in all; 20 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 1900
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: American Air Service, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: 5B4 Griswold CT at 4:45 pm
- Destination: 42B E.Haddam CT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.